Prior to updating all of our apps to support iPhone OS 3.0, we studied prior iPhone and iPod touch update adoption rates. Conclusion: be ready, customers upgrade fast. After one week in the wild, here’s what’s shakin’ (it turns out that updating was wise): iPhone OS 3.0 Adoption AdMob reported today that 44% of web requests in their network are now coming from the new OS. Conclusion: ForeFlight customers are early adopters on the bleeding edge!
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ForeFlight, iPhone Aviation
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iPhone OS 3.0 Adoption by ForeFlight Customers
25 Jun 2009 | 6:20 pm -
ForeFlight iPhone 3GS Performance Test
19 Jun 2009 | 8:24 amTeam ForeFlight picked up an iPhone 3GS this morning at the local AT&T Store. We had pre-ordered the day of the announcement, so we just walked right in during AT&T’s “special” hours from 7:00am-9:00am. Our first impression? The iPhone 3GS is fast. Very fast. It’s noticeably speedier when launching apps and surfing the web. The new compass is integrated with Google Maps and points you in the right direction. Of course we took it for a spin with all of the ForeFlight iPhone aviation apps: ForeFlight Mobile, Checklist Pro, ForeFlight File, and AOPA… -
ForeFlight Apps, Ready for iPhone OS 3.0!
16 Jun 2009 | 3:57 pmTomorrow is “3-Day”! The third generation of Apple’s iPhone OS operation system – iPhone OS 3.0 – hits Apple’s software update servers tomorrow. Are you curious to know how quickly iPhone owners upgrade? Charts put out by AdMob indicate that about 30% of iPhone owners will upgrade within the first week of a new iPhone OS release, and a steady stream of iPhone owners upgrade over the following weeks. That means a lot of ForeFlight customers (and we are grateful there are many of you!) will be sporting the new iPhone OS by this weekend. We’re… -
New 0906 data cycle posted
1 Jun 2009 | 6:39 pmA new data cycle begins in 2 days and updated ForeFlight databases are available for you to download. ForeFlight Mobile and AOPA Airports users can download these updates using the Download Manager, accessible from the “Downloads” section of the application. If you don’t see that section, press the “More” button on the bottom of the application to find it! And, as always, it’s OK to download them early! Your application will wait to use the new data until it becomes effective. -
ForeFlight Mobile 2.3.1 Available in App Store
23 May 2009 | 2:00 amIt’s heating up here in Texas, as is the pace of app and feature updates. ForeFlight Mobile 2.3.1 is now available in iTunes App Store. Please see our helpful info page on how to update. This is a minor update that improves download management for users on slower networks. Also included is a new “Download All” feature that lets you download all databases in one shot. Other changes in this release: Favorites bug fix to avoid re-ordering problem Data downloads will no longer be backed up by iTunes Blue arrow button now works when shown on contact info view
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AVwebFlash Current Issue
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Air France 447 Crash Update
Investigators said Thursday that Air France 447 apparently didn't break up in flight but plunged almost vertically into the equatorial Atlantic early on the morning of June 1. Thus far, 51 bodies of the 228 people aboard the Airbus 330 have been recovered and the search for additional victims ended last Friday. The search for the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders continues, but it too is expected to be suspended on July 10. Reuters and other sources quoted French accident investigator Alain Bouillard as saying, "The plane went straight down, almost vertically, towards the… -
Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase
Summer is upon us, and your "Picture of the Week" submissions continue to reflect the green grass, sunny skies, and adventures spirit of the season. (We like it when you make it hard to pick a winner each week, so please keep sending in those photos!) John E. Rees of Blacklick, Ohio didn't have far to go to attend the 50th Reunion of the National Waco Club at Wynkoop Airport in Mt. Vernon. In retrospect, that's probably a good thing for all of us, since it allowed John to snap a lot of awesome Waco photos while he was there. -
Question of the Week: Very Light Jets Played Out, or Just Warming Up?
Alan Klapmeier's dramatic announcement that he's trying to take over the Cirrus Vision SF 50 program has revived interest in the personal jet market. What's the future look like for little jets?Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers to peer into their crystal balls and enlighten us as to the future of electric airplanes; click through to find out how our readership breaks down into dreamers, curmudgeons, and the steadfastly level-headed. -
AVweb Insider Blog: Tip o' the Cap to Tampa
Ever tried to complain to the airport authority at an international hub? Good luck even finding the number. At Tampa, Florida, they actually call you back. Paul Bertorelli's report on that refreshing experience is the subject of our latest AVweb Insider blog. -
On the Fly ...
Mike Goulian to recieve this year's Bill Barber Award for Showmanship...The Air Race Classic has posted the top 10 competitors from this year's race...Flying to Mexico? The rules have changed. AOPA has a detailed update.
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Smartbrief: Aerospace Industry Association
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NASA official sees cheaper route to moon
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmJohn Shannon, manager of NASA's space shuttle program, is proposing a next-generation rocket program that he says might cost -More- Improve communication and collaboration to increase business value at a core level. "The Integration of FSAM into Federal Enterprise Architecture programs" examines the impact of Federal Segment Architecture Methodology (FSAM) on FEA programs and explores the challenges and benefits of integrating this segment approach to provide business value. -
Washington takes hard line on European missile shield
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmU.S. -More- -
Blakey named on list of "Top Lobbyists"
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmAIA President and CEO Marion Blakey was described in an article in The Hill newspaper as one of "a few people who are good at -More- -
Reports: North Korea fires more missiles
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmNorth Korea launched three, and possibly four, short-range missiles over the Sea of Japan on Thursday, according to reports f -More- -
Lawmakers seek assurances on privacy of passenger info
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmLawmakers on Capitol Hill have given the TSA a July 8 deadline to explain what is being done with personal data on some 165,0 -More-
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Smartbrief: Air Transport Associationk of America, Inc.
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Reports: Boeing to buy factory for second 787 assembly line
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmBoeing Co. -More- -
Real-time data streaming draws pilots' ire
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pm-More- -
Court sides with regional in Delta contract suit
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmA federal appeals court has ruled that Delta Air Lines must continue to honor its contract with a regional operator. -More- -
Lawsuits expose questions over TSA mission
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmCritics of the Transportation Security Administration say airport screeners increasingly are assuming policing roles far beyo -More- -
Pilots lose lawsuit over mandatory retrirement
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pm-More-
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Smartbrief: Aviation eBrief
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Resolution would honor GA
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmRep. -More- -
TSA on defensive following critical inspector general's report
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmThe TSA, rapped by an inspector general's report critical of its stance on general aviation security, has issued a statement -More- -
Cirrus co-founder works to raise capital for light jet program
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmThe chairman and co-founder of Cirrus Design, Alan Klapmeier, has been pitching the company's Vision SJ50 single-engine light -More- A Life Insurance Policy That Returns All of Your Premiums? - Yes - The Return of Premium Term policy available through Pilot Insurance Center features fixed premiums and guarantees to return the total of all premiums at the end of the policy. No aviation exclusions. 800-380-8376 or www.piclife.com -
Oklahoma stop part of AOPA campaign tour
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmAOPA President Craig Fuller made a stop at Ponca City Regional Airport in Oklahoma last week as part of a campaign to promote -More- -
eBRIEF will not be published Friday
1 Jul 2009 | 10:00 pmIn observance of Independence Day in the U.S., eBRIEF will not be published Friday. Publication will resume Monday. -More-
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AviationWeek.com Homepage
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N Korean Launches, Next Test Speculation
2 Jul 2009 | 1:47 pmTest launch of four-short range missiles today; might attempt another long-range ballistic missile test on/about July 4 -
EC Extends Austrian Probe
2 Jul 2009 | 6:33 amLufthansa said it was surprised by the European Commission's decision to extend its probe of the Austrian takeover. -
White House Talks Russia, Missile Defense
2 Jul 2009 | 6:31 amHas no intention of trading a proposed missile interceptor site in Europe in exchange for 'a better deal' official said -
EU Pushes Global Blacklist
1 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amEuropean Union Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani is urging for the EU blacklist to be expanded. -
Think Tank: Reconsider U.K. F-35
1 Jul 2009 | 6:38 amThe Institute for Public Policy Research says U.K. government should re-examine its defense equipment requirements
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Flightblogger
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Sources: Boeing to buy Vought's 787 operations
1 Jul 2009 | 9:46 amBoeing is set to announce its intention to acquire the 787 operations currently run by Vought Aircraft Industries in North Charleston, SC in a major shake up of the supply chain for its new flagship product.According to multiple sources familiar with the plan, Vought Aircraft Industries 787 arm is to be divested from parent company The Carlyle Group and sold to The Boeing Company."It's a done deal," says a source close to the agreement.The same sources indicate that the sale of the Charleston 787 operations unit, known as the Advanced Aerosolutions (AAD) branch of Dallas-based Vought, will… -
Summer in DC
29 Jun 2009 | 6:26 pmSummer in DC, originally uploaded by flightblogger. Continental 737-700 on Potomac final approach to DCA. -
Assembling 747-8 - June 29 - Prepping for final body join
29 Jun 2009 | 3:46 pmConsider this a bit of catch up over the last several weeks on 747-8 progress. I wanted to bring you the latest on what's going on with the first 747-8 Freighter - RC501 - coming together in Everett right now.Last this page left the new jumbo jet, the forward fuselage was making the trip on May 17th from Building 40-23 back over to 40-21/22 for sealing and testing.When the first stub join was completed, the wings were "flown" from the join position to the seal on the afternoon of June 7th. The crane, actually two cranes, that lifted the wings represented a record for Boeing after more than 40… -
Photo of Note: The Front Page - June 27, 2007
27 Jun 2009 | 5:00 amThe 25th, 26th and 27th of June 2007 were three days that will forever remain vividly embedded in my memory. I went to sleep on the 25th having just posted this message to the two-month old experiment called FlightBlogger:Update 3 - June 25, 2007 - 10:25pmSources inside Boeing say, "There is not much left to do before moving to paint shop. All doors are installed. All slats, ailerons, flaps, and spoilers are installed. They are working on access doors on the wing." Another source says, "Most everything that will be "seen" is on the airplane, save for a few odds and ends."According to the… -
A broad look at the QANTAS/Jetstar 787 cancellation and deferral
26 Jun 2009 | 3:47 pmThe news came early this morning in Sydney, that Australia's largest airline, Qantas had made significant changes to its 787 order, deferring the 15 787-8s it was supposed to receive starting in mid-2010 for Jetstar, while canceling 15 additional 787-9s scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015.First, lets examine the changes:Jetstar's first 15 787s will now be 787-9s, not 787-8s and will arrive in mid-2013.The 15 deferred 787-8s will be put into domestic operations starting in the 4th quarter of 2014 over the following 12 months.The remaining 20 787-9 will be for Qantas and Jetstar operations,…
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AOPA Pilot Blog: Reporting Points
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Nature photographer looks at Reno
1 Jul 2009 | 6:20 amPractice sessions at Reno just ended and Moose Peterson, famous wildlife photographer, demonstrated that all those years of chasing critters pays off when chasing airplanes. See his blog and click “little slide show” in the fourth paragraph. He’s especially good with sunrise and sunset shots, as you’ll see. -
Pedestrians share Gibraltar runway
29 Jun 2009 | 8:15 amEven when the new tunnel under the Gibraltar runway is completed, pedestrians and emergency vehicles will continue to stop air traffic and use Winston Churchill Avenue above ground to cross it. In the past it could take 10 minutes to clear people and traffic off the runway so an aircraft could land. The tunnel will be an improvement. This shot was taken by world traveler Robert Gannon after landing in his Cessna 182, and those tiny dots on the runway are traffic and people. The Gibraltar Airport is 1,600 feet from the city, the shortest commute of any major airport in the world. CLICK PHOTOS… -
Saddam’s 747s decaying
29 Jun 2009 | 6:48 amRumor has it that Saddam Hussein had nearly 100 Boeing 747s, but right before the war he dispersed them to neighboring countries including six to Tunisia. World traveler Robert Gannon found two of them at the airport in Tozeur, Tunisia, tires flat. He parked his trusty Cessna 182 called Lucky Lady Too between them for a tourist shot. Gannon moves his 182 from place to place until duties call him home, and then returns to continue his adventure. CLICK PHOTO -
GA and the environment: Your chance to comment
26 Jun 2009 | 3:00 pmLeaded fuel, noise, threats of “cap and trade” emission limits (carbon offsets, anyone?). It would be easy to believe that the word “environment” is no friend of general aviation. Yet, GA has an important role to play in the environment–whether helping to spot blatant polluters, putting out forest fires, or providing a bird’s-eye view of run-off or insect infestations, general aviation airplanes are at work every day in support of the environment. The small amount of lead-tainted emissions from our 100LL is really the least of our worries when it comes to… -
A new Perspective
26 Jun 2009 | 11:47 amSkirting TRWs in WI I’ve never set foot in a Cirrus Perspective until I flew with Dave Bushman on the way to the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) fly-in, dubbed The Migration. Or in this case, Migration 7–since this year marks the seventh such pilgrimage. It’s in Duluth, Minnesota, where Cirruses (Cirri?) are built. Bushman has everything aboard his Perspective. Sure, there was the G1000 avionics suite, but Dave added air conditioning, TKS FIKI-certified ice protection, and even infrared vision–to go along with the G1000’s synthetic vision.
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Flight International
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Ashton Kutcher, Twitter and Airbus bashing
2 Jul 2009 | 7:16 amAshton Kutcher; Hollywood actor, comic, prankster and now it seems, aviation safety expert.After hearing the advice of a 30 year veteran pilot who he doesn't name, Ashton, a very popular and high profile celebrity user of Twitter, tweeted to his 2.5 million followers the following advice:A 30 year vetran pilot recommended 2 me that I dont ride on an airbus until they prove that the composite tail is not creating ths accidentsExplaining why he would tweet something to his sizeable audience, he further tweeted:'Im not a big fear person I just felt it would be neglegent to not share RT… -
Air France Trials Futuristic-Looking Carbon-Free Vehicle
2 Jul 2009 | 3:12 amThis is serious, but the carbon-free AIRPod vehicle will certainly get some looks at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol airports, where Air France is trialling it.The MDI AIRPod:Flickr User Morgy, Creative Commons LicenseClick here to see Air France's video about the vehicle and trial.From Air France:The Airpod uses innovative technology: a compressed air engine which is totally clean, and generates no CO2 emissions. The ambiant air is compressed using an electric compressor. It is then stocked in a high-pressure tank located under the vehicle.It takes 3 to 4 hours to fill up with… -
Tiger Airways to Host "Airline"-style Documentary
1 Jul 2009 | 2:38 amRemember the A&E "Airline" TV show from a few years back profiling Southwest Airlines?Well Australia's Channel Seven will soon air "Airways", which will follow Tiger Airways Australia, the ultra-no-frills airline. (Tiger Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Tiger Airways.)Australia has proven a good market for travel-based TV shows, having previously aired "Going Places", which focused on Jetstar, while "Border Security" still airs.Tiger is reportedly not funding the production, but was interested to gain free publicity and also have travelers understand what,… -
Plane Spotters Ruin Olympic Surprise
30 Jun 2009 | 12:13 pmCanada's The Globe and the Mail reports Air Canada planned to unveil in Vancouver next week its last 777, which sports a special Vancouver 2010 Olympic decal.But plane spotters at Paine Field where Boeing manufactures the jet captured the aircraft with the special decal and posted it on the internet. You can view the nifty aircraft here and here."Our jaws kind of dropped," an Air Canada spokeswoman told the paper. "It was the first time most of us had seen it ourselves."Air Canada may have been surprised, but they certainly understood images could leak out. "An airplane's a pretty big item." -
Flying for (and photographing) the Red Arrows
30 Jun 2009 | 7:37 amFlightglobal-ers were invited to the Preview Day at this year's Biggin Hill Air Show - one of the UK's big calendar events for air display fans. Flightglobal's Defence Editor, Craig Hoyle spoke to David "Monty" Montenegro who flies with the Red Arrows display team as Red 3; and Jamie Hunter, aviation photographer and reporter.
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Twitter / aeroG
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aeroG: Trying to copy a simple presentation graph into Devonthink. Just want to grab from screen, resize, put frame around. Why is this so hard?
2 Jul 2009 | 10:37 amaeroG: Trying to copy a simple presentation graph into Devonthink. Just want to grab from screen, resize, put frame around. Why is this so hard? -
aeroG: @MartianDestiny I thought all FedEx shipments went through Memphis. WSJ once wrote of FedEx pkgs between floors of same NY bldg going via TN
1 Jul 2009 | 11:19 pmaeroG: @MartianDestiny I thought all FedEx shipments went through Memphis. WSJ once wrote of FedEx pkgs between floors of same NY bldg going via TN -
aeroG: RT @FunFlying "Gliders, sailplanes, they are wonderful flying machines. It's the closest you can come to being a bird." ~Neil Armstrong
1 Jul 2009 | 5:34 pmaeroG: RT @FunFlying "Gliders, sailplanes, they are wonderful flying machines. It's the closest you can come to being a bird." ~Neil Armstrong -
aeroG: RT @LH2Padrat Inspection team has left the pad. No issues.
1 Jul 2009 | 8:32 amaeroG: RT @LH2Padrat Inspection team has left the pad. No issues. -
aeroG: Wal-Mart backs employer mandate, but is it not obvious that whatever health ins. plan U.S. adopts, it MUST facilitate workers changing jobs?
1 Jul 2009 | 8:22 amaeroG: Wal-Mart backs employer mandate, but is it not obvious that whatever health ins. plan U.S. adopts, it MUST facilitate workers changing jobs?
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AVwebBiz Current Issue
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Parts Fraud Case Revealed
Jerry Comeaux, 69, the proprietor of Quality Aircraft Support in Ninety Six, S.C., pleaded no contest to fraudulently repairing aircraft parts without FAA credentials and is being forced to pay $403,000 to customers who paid more than $2.5 million for them. Before Comeaux copped the plea, prosecutors told a U.S. District Court in Greenville that some of the parts weren't airworthy. Other charges against Comeaux and his wife Vicky, which included money laundering, wire fraud and mail fraud, were dropped in exchange for the no-contest plea. Customers included firms that repaired commercial and… -
Safety Rules Increasing Some Accidents: Study
A 28-year study of helicopter sightseeing accidents in Hawaii suggests that rules enacted in 1994 to reduce accidents did reduce the overall number by 47 percent. However, the rules did nothing to address the main cause of accidents (mechanical failure) and may have inadvertently led to an increase in the deadliest type of accidents (weather-related CFIT). In fact, researchers with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy recommend the FAA rescind the section of the rule that sets minimum altitude for sightseeing operations at 1,500 feet AGL… -
Charter Operator Guilty Of Fraud
The co-founder of Platinum Jet Management, whose Challenger business jet went off the end of the runway at Teterboro Airport in 2005, has pleaded guilty to fraud charges for flying more than 100 charters without the proper certification. Andre Budhan could go to jail for up to four years after the investigation into the Teterboro crash turned into a criminal probe. A total of 23 charges were laid against Budhan and he pleaded guilty to the fraud charge. Even though the passengers on those flights got to where they were going, the fraud occurred because Platinum didn't tell them they didn't… -
Markets, Customers React To 787 Delay
All Nippon Airways says it's still too soon to reconsider its launch order of the Boeing 787, even though Boeing announced the fifth program delay and pushed the first flight of the aircraft back for an unspecified period. The company says preflight testing revealed the need to beef up the structure of the fuselage where the wings attach and it's going to make sure it gets done right. "Consideration was given to a temporary solution that would allow us to fly as scheduled, but we ultimately concluded that the right thing was to develop, design, test and incorporate a permanent modification to… -
Clear Lanes Closed
Commercial airline travel just got a lot less convenient for frequent travelers who'd paid hundreds of dollars to jump the security line. Verified Identity Pass, the company that operated the Clear security screening kiosks at about 20 major U.S. airports, shut down on Monday night, forcing its customers to shuffle shoeless with the masses through the regular security lines. In a statement issued late Monday, the company said it couldn't reach a deal with its senior creditor to keep going. About 250,000 customers had paid up to $199 a year to zip through the segregated kiosks, which used…
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Ask a CFI
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What is Specific Range?
17 Jun 2009 | 3:54 amDo you know your airplane's MPG? “What is meant by the term ’specific range’?” This is the question that I asked David Wyndam of Conklin and de Decker after coming across this term while looking at some aircraft comparison performance tables. The performance tables listed the specific range for various airplanes in both long range and high speed cruise. For instance, the specific range for a Cirrus SR22 was listed as 2.051 for long range cruise and 1.810 for high speed cruise. But what exactly do those numbers mean and what formula was used to devise those… -
Sample Takeoff Briefing
11 Jun 2009 | 8:13 amBefore Takeoff Checklist Throttle: 1700 RPM Magnetos: Checked Carb Heat: On Carb Heat: Off Throttle: Set-800 RPM Flight Instruments: Set Takeoff Briefing….huh??? A common problem that I see in many of my students (both primary and advanced) is the failure to adequately brief the takeoff and departure segments. This is a critical and common mistake with many pilots. Richard C. Cushing summarized the importance of planning when he said: Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. This quotation really summarizes the purpose of a good takeoff briefing. A… -
Zulu vs. Bose
9 Jun 2009 | 12:31 pmI’ve written before about how much I enjoy my Bose X headset. How I think that it is the quietest, most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn. But I’m here to say that Bose better look out, because Lightspeed Aviation is giving Bose a serious high-noon headset showdown with it’s latest entry, the Zulu. I’ve had the opportunity to try out both headsets extensively and here is my Lightspeed Zulu vs Bose X comparison, review and final verdict: Lightspeed Zulu This was the underdog product that had the most to prove in my battle of-the-headsets. I’ve heard… -
Why does the Cessna 421 have a reduction gear on the prop?
8 Jun 2009 | 8:15 pmMarty emailed me tonight asking: Why do they gear aircraft engines to slow down the prop? In a C-421, why not let the prop spin at 2400rpm in cruise instead of gearing it to about 1800? Hi Marty, You’ve asked a good question and one that I asked myself when I first started flying Cessna 404s (which have the same engine and geared prop as the C-421) I looked up my notes from Flight Safety and here is what I wrote (exactly): “geared - quieter - turn at lower RPM and a little more power” Hmmm, not much help. A little more digging into my Cessna 404 Flight Safety Manual and I… -
How to calculate your headwind or tailwind
7 Jun 2009 | 10:22 pmHere is an easy enough question that came in from Dennis: How do I calculate a headwind or tailwind? This calculation is very easy using a mechanical flight computer such as an E-6B . The E-6B is a circular slide rule that has two sides: the computer side and the wind side. The computer side which contains several scales and windows is used to solve ratio problems such as time-speed-distance, fuel and several other conversions. The wind side is used to find both a aircraft ground speed and WCA (wind correction angle). To help guide you through the wind side of the E-6B, I’ve created…
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Randy's Journal
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Feels like the first time
2 Jul 2009 | 12:17 pmWe’ve mentioned that testing and production is continuing on the flight test Dreamliners and other airplanes in assembly. Wednesday, on the flight line in Everett we saw (and heard) evidence of that as we completed engine runs for ZA002, the second flight test 787. Engine runs underway on ZA002. For the sights - and sounds - of ZA002's first engine runs, click above to view a short video. Yesterday’s tests began at around 9 a.m. with two dry runs - the first one without fuel and the second with fuel. After an inspection, early in the afternoon the engines were powered up for real. A… -
Le sourire de la Joconde
30 Jun 2009 | 5:30 pmIt's been a challenging couple of weeks, as you can imagine. But I wanted to make sure - before we get too far removed from Le Bourget - to share some final sights, sounds and thoughts from the Paris Air Show. A French colleague of mine observed that assessing the results from Paris is a little like trying to interpret le sourire de la Joconde, the smile of "La Joconde" (the Mona Lisa). That sounds just about right. Crowds gaze upon La Joconde - the Mona Lisa - in all her glory at the Louvre in Paris during air show week. She is beguiling and yet mysterious as ever. Much like this year's air… -
Come together
29 Jun 2009 | 12:58 pmWe've joined the wing to the fuselage for the first 747-8 Freighter. In the final assembly bay in Everett, our team has attached the 40-foot (12 meter) center fuselage section to the wing. This first 747-8 is now more than 60% complete, and the entire fuselage is in final assembly. Next step is to prepare the wing and center section for final body join, connecting these assemblies to the forward and aft fuselage sections. As the photos show, momentum is continuing on the 747-8 Freighter as we move forward toward first flight later this year. It's a new, high-capacity 747 offering the lowest… -
First flight - postponed
23 Jun 2009 | 4:21 pmBy now, you’ve seen the news about the postponement of the 787 first flight due to the need to reinforce a limited area of the airplane’s structure. I can tell you that here in Renton where I work, as well as in Everett and across Boeing, there’s a sense of disappointment. That’s understandable. As 787 Program chief Scott Fancher told employees today, it's especially difficult given we were so close to getting the airplane in the air. But is this a devastating piece of news? Not from my perspective. Our test program is designed to do just what it has done - find issues. Commercial… -
Crystal blue persuasion
18 Jun 2009 | 2:36 pmLE BOURGET, FRANCE - As is the case when any new concept or innovation is introduced, getting the world on board the notion of sustainable biofuels for aviation could require some further "green" persuasion. I totally get that. But we now have some good, solid research to back up the commitment of Boeing and the industry to finding new renewable energy sources for use in airplanes and airline operations. My colleague, Bill Glover, managing director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, led a media briefing here at the Paris Air Show this week. Bill Glover makes a point…
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Light Flight
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Mentone: the "Oshkosh" for gyro's and other rotorcraft
30 Jun 2009 | 10:44 amThose familiar with experimental aviation certainly know about "Oshkosh", the annual meeting of experimental aircraft in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The official name for it is "AirVenture," but the EAA folks that run it have been unsuccessful at dislodging the name Oshkosh... -
Gyrocopter flight envelope
22 Jun 2009 | 3:07 pmA few people have taken umbrage at my use of the phrase "...the envelope for safe gyro flying is very narrow." First of all, just in general, "flight envelope" is a term that's hard to nail down. Wiktionary says that... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day three
21 Jun 2009 | 8:35 amToday we wanted to start at 7am. Two other students showed up, so Steve had a lot of training to do. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't going to cooperate. When I looked out of The Barracks, it was obvious that it... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day two
12 Jun 2009 | 9:09 pmStarting early enough so that it wasn't blistering hot, Steve and I strapped into the Parson's trainer and proceeded to wring out the machine. There were quite a number of takeoffs and landings at first, but instead of the... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day one
12 Jun 2009 | 4:22 amArriving at this small airport on the outskirts of Macon, Georgia, I didn't really know what to expect. I'd never met my instructor, Steve McGowan, but his reputation was stellar, so it was a surprise to meet such an unassuming...
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PlaneBuzz
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PlaneBusiness Banter Now Posted
29 Jun 2009 | 11:08 amThis week's issue of PlaneBusiness Banter is now posted. Last week on the airline side the news was headlined by Republic Holdings, which went on a little bargain basement buying spree last week, as you all know. Now that Frontier Airlines (pending bankruptcy court approval which we are certain will take place) and Midwest are going to be under the "Republic Holdings Umbrella" what does this mean for the domestic US airline market? Frankly, the land grab raises a lot more questions than we have answers for -- at least this week. Then there is Boeing. What a mess. What a complete and total… -
TGIF: It's a Cat Pant Day
26 Jun 2009 | 7:58 amIt's Friday. It's already 85 degrees here in Big D. And it's not even 10 o'clock yet. Not a good sign. My trusty Apple iPhone weather app informs me that it will be 103 later today. Hmmmmm. You know it's really hot when the cats pant. I've written before about this. We all know dogs pant all the time. But have you ever noticed how cats, being the more discreet and elegant animals that they are, are not that enthusiastic about showing public displays of pending heat stroke? So when you open the door to a little face that has a jaw dropped and a little tongue furiously darting in and out --… -
Why Are Changes in Air Fares Worthy of National News Coverage?; It Doesn't Have to Be This Way
26 Jun 2009 | 7:53 amI'm sure glad the general public got to see a slew of those stupid "at the airport live" reports yesterday dished out from a local reporter -- stationed at their local airport. The occasion? Rising air fares. CODE RED. CODE RED. Beep. Beep. Beep. Oh my god Ethel, grab the children, bring them inside and make sure the doors and windows are locked. Is there any other industry that all of us utilize on a fairly regular basis that has its prices examined so closely by the media? Seriously. Why is this? I mean, how would other industries fare if every time they raised a price, we were treated to a… -
Virgin's Richard Branson on Jimmy Fallon Tonight
24 Jun 2009 | 8:32 pm -
LSU Takes College World Series
24 Jun 2009 | 7:03 pmWhew. For a couple of innings tonight I suffered some ugly thoughts of having to wear that Orange Pimp Suit. And of having my picture made while wearing it. And of having said picture then posted here on PB. However, LSU was successful tonight in beating the University of Texas Longhorns 11-4 to take the NCAA College World Series National Championship. One of the big reasons was that guy right here. Chad Jones. In his other life, he plays safety for the Tiger football team. But in this tournament, he was fantastic in the role of relief pitcher. Then there was Jared Mitchell, the tournament's…
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Daily Aero-News Network Podcast
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ANN Special Feature: Frank Porter, HKS 700T Engine - 07.02.09
2 Jul 2009 | 5:05 amANN's Paul Plack talks with Frank Porter, CEO of Air Parts Sales Unlimited, to get details on the upcoming first deliveries of an engine experimenters have been anxiously awaiting -- the 80-horsepower, turbocharged HKS 700T. FMI: www.apsu-hks.com ; www.quasaraircraft.com ; (954) 788-6660 Sponsored By... www.garmin.com www.diamondaircraft.com http://caravanpostcards.com/ www.cirrusdesign.com www.clarityaloft.com -
ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 07.02.09
2 Jul 2009 | 4:59 amThe sole survivor of a Yemeni Air disaster is headed home. The same controller trainee is implicated in two runway incursions. And, should NASA hand over Low Earth Orbits to the private sector? Sponsored By... www.garmin.com www.diamondaircraft.com http://caravanpostcards.com/ www.cirrusdesign.com www.clarityaloft.com -
ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 07.02.09
2 Jul 2009 | 4:58 amThe sole survivor of a Yemeni Air disaster is headed home. The same controller trainee is implicated in two runway incursions. And, should NASA hand over Low Earth Orbits to the private sector? -
ANN Special Feature: Alan Klapmeier, Brent Wouters - 07.01.09
1 Jul 2009 | 3:18 amToday's Special Feature features the actual announcement by Cirrus Design founder and former CEO Alan Klapmeier of his bid to buy out the Cirrus Vision SF-50 jet program, and the full audio recording of the response from current Cirrus Aircraft CEO Brent Wouters. FMI: www.aero-tv.net Sponsored By... www.garmin.com www.diamondaircraft.com http://caravanpostcards.com/ www.cirrusdesign.com www.clarityaloft.com -
ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 07.01.09
1 Jul 2009 | 3:15 amThe search for survivors of a Yemenia Airlines crash continues. NTSB believes the experimenter was impatient. And Senator Schumer accuses airlines of "bait and switch." Sponsored By... www.garmin.com www.diamondaircraft.com http://caravanpostcards.com/ www.cirrusdesign.com www.clarityaloft.com
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Aero-News Network
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Aero-TV: XCOR Aerospace -- An Innovative Route To Space (Part 1)
Mark Our Words... The Private Spaceflight Revolution Will Be Won by Companies Like XCOR I have a number of heroes in the aviation and aerospace business... some of whom I've written about quite a bit and a few that I need to write much more about. Near the top of the list of XCOR Aerospace's Jeff Greason and the oh-so-talented team that supports this uncommon man with a dream AND the chutzpah to make it happen. -
FAA Releases Training Video For Fighting In-Flight Fires
Video Available To View Online A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) review of commercial aviation accidents involving in-flight fires during the period 1983 to 2000 prompted the NTSB to issue a number of safety recommendations to the FAA, including the development of an AC to address a number of issues linked to in-flight fires. The FAA issued AC 120-80, In-Flight Fires,and the FAA Technical Center Fire Safety Branch has developed a training video to complement the AC. -
Publicity Stunt: Man Completes 30-Days Living On AirTran Aircraft
Mark Malkoff Sets Guinness Record We have to wonder if he paid for a business class upgrade. Mark Malkoff arrived in Atlanta Tuesday greeted by several hundred curiosity seekers and fans, having just set the Guinness World Record for most flight segments in a 30-day period. Malkoff kept in touch with friends, fans and family via Inflight Internet on the airline's aircraft. -
Airbus To Experiment With 'Taxibot' To Reduce Fuel Costs, Emissions
Pilot Would Drive Tractor From The Cockpit Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2009 International Paris Air Show to jointly develop and test an environmentally friendly pilot-controlled towing semi-robotic system. -
Air Hauler Amerijet Buys Trucking Firm
The Company Recently Leased Several B767 Cargo Aircraft Amerijet International has announced its acquisition of a majority interest in Nations Express, a nationwide express trucking company based in Charlotte, NC. Nations Express operates a fleet of approximately 200 trucks in an express charter truck service.
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AVWeb Podcast - Podcast
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Klapmeier Lays Out Jet Plans (A Preview of Our Friday Podcast)
Well, no one has ever accused Cirrus Aircraft Chairman of the Board Alan Klapmeier of backing down from a challenge and he's taken on a big one. Klapmeier announced last week that he's trying to buy the Vision SF 50 jet program from the company he and his brother Dale founded 25 years ago. The news caused a sensation at last week's gathering of Cirrus owners in Duluth and rippled through the industry. Now that the dust has settled some, Klapmeier says he has a picture of the reaction to the news and he's explaining the rationale behind the blockbuster news. In an extensive interview with… -
Spot Landings for Keeps
Aviation Safety magazine editor Jeb Burnside talks power-off landings with Gary Hemphill, executive director of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA), which conducts regional and national spot-landing contests. -
EAA AirVenture Update
EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh is coming up in just a few weeks July 27 to August 2 and this year's aviation celebration features lots of special visitors and exhibits, as well as extensive new upgrades to the show grounds. AVweb's Mary Grady talks with Dick Knapinski, EAA spokesman, for all the latest on the show, plus some important advice for pilots planning to fly in. -
The Future Of Cirrus's Jet
Cirrus Design co-founder and former CEO Alan Klapmeier dropped a bombshell on the annual Cirrus Migration in Duluth by announcing he wants to take over the SF 50 jet program through a separate company. But current CEO Brent Wouters says the company remains committed to seeing the project through, although it's willing to listen to Klapmeier's ideas. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with Wouters about the proposal. -
IFR Magazine's NEXRAD Audio Primer
IFR magazine's Jeff Van West talks with Paul Devlin of WSI and Bob Dreisewerd of WxWorx about what makes cockpit NEXRAD different from what you see on an average web site. The datalink weather experts also discuss some of the shortcomings of cockpit weather and some tips for using it more effectively.
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Max Trescott on General Aviation
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Auto-Landing Capability Demonstrated on GA Aircraft
29 Jun 2009 | 11:23 amToday, Aurora Flight Services announced that they have successfully demonstrated fully autonomous takeoffs and landings in their Cessna 337 aircraft. The flights were conducted with a safety pilot and test engineer on board near the company’s Manassas, Virginia headquarters. The company manufactures state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems and components for the scientific research, defense and homeland security markets. You can see a YouTube video of the aircraft, N427AU, taking off from Warrenton, Virginia.The technology is expected to be included in...several future Aurora projects,… -
Airport Security Clear Lanes Closed; Back to the TSA Lanes
28 Jun 2009 | 8:12 amLike many ideas, the Clear lane at airport security checkpoints was born of necessity—the long security lines after 9/11—and seemed brilliant at the time. Why not provide a private sector alternative, fast passage through security lines, to the TSA? But last week Clear, owned by Verified Identity Pass Inc, became one more wreck along the Venture Capital highway. Two smaller competitors, FLO and Vigilant, continue to operate.Originally priced at $99 per year, but increased to $199 last year, the Clear card promised to...help customers bypass long security lines. However, despite having… -
Frustrated with Your GPS? Take our GPS Survey.
4 Jun 2009 | 12:30 am"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” So begins Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities. But it’s just as true today if you fly with a GPS receiver. When you know which buttons to push and it does what you want, times are indeed good. But when you struggle with the buttons and can’t get it to do what you want, it can be the worst of times—particularly if you’re IFR and you’re having trouble loading an instrument approach!In the past, pilots could operate virtually any VOR receiver, even if they’d never seen it before. Today, we have far more advanced… -
Buffalo FL 3407 Pilot's Original Employer Fined $1.3 Million by FAA
21 May 2009 | 3:22 pmIt's probably just a coincidence, but the timing couldn’t be more ironic. Aviation news was dominated last week by 3 days of NTSB hearings that sought the cause of the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash that destroyed a home while en route to Buffalo, NY. Throughout the hearings, pictures emerged of pilots who were fatigued and lacked key training, a captain who failed to disclose several checkride failures, and of a two-tier industry where regional airlines pay new-hire pilots little more than minimum wage. Then, late this afternoon, the FAA announced that they are proposing a $1.3 million civil… -
Risk Management—How the word “Probably” Influences your Decision Making
20 May 2009 | 10:40 pm[Update: Take our new GPS Survey here] Last year, the FAA asked me to write a series of safety tips they could email to airmen registered at www.faasafety.gov. If you’re unfamiliar with the Web site, go there now to register to receive email notification of safety seminars in your area. You’ll also find useful online courses and information on the FAA WINGS program, a substitute for your flight review, previously known as a BFR.My Safety Tip #3 brought more comments and...diversity of opinion than anything I’ve ever written. Two-thirds of the comment were extremely positive, a sixth…
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Aviation Mentor
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Poor Man's EFB
25 Jun 2009 | 9:25 amIn my continuing quest to find a low-cost, electronic solution to displaying aviation charts, I acquired and tested a small notebook computer and several on-line services (some of them free) that provide charts and procedures in electronic format. In this installment I'll look at the feasibility of acquiring and displaying various charts while in flight using a newly acquired Dell Mini 9. Though this Dell model was recently discontinued, other similar models are still available. I acquired this computer used with a 16 gigabyte solid-state disk drive and 1 GB of RAM. I upgraded the RAM to 2 GB… -
More EFB Musing
17 Jun 2009 | 5:30 pmMy quest for a relatively inexpensive electronic flight bag continues with this review of the FAA Charting Division's d-TPP Flight Java application for Windows. I'll discuss the installation process and the application's features, advantages, and drawbacks.One problem right off the bat is that the d-TPP Java application has been designed only to run under Windows. Another problem is that it uses a third-party PDF viewer that might have some bugs, enough to cause the developer to see fit to include a warning with the product. And one reader commented in my last posting that this software… -
Dreaming and Paper Cuts
3 Jun 2009 | 5:58 amApologies for the delay since my last post, but I was working on some projects that actually generate income. If more of my readers would contribute a little cah-ching using the donate button in the upper right corner, well ...The idea of an electronic flight bag is an easy sell to anyone who has endured the agony of filing Jepp revisions, pilots who have struggled to buy charts for an area they are passing through, or those who have had to lug 30 pounds of paper on a cross-continent trip. EFB solutions are out there, but many of them cost a couple of thousand dollars just to get started and… -
The Sky is Failing
17 May 2009 | 7:25 pmIf you read this blog very often you've heard me caution pilots about being overly reliant on any single method of navigation, like GPS. Since the GPS was declared fully operational in 1995, pilots, sailors, hikers, drivers, cell phone users, and the military all have become accustomed to the convenience provided by this no-cost system (okay, you have to buy the GPS receiver). Even the next generation air traffic control system NexGen, which the FAA has been furiously flogging as the panacea for everything from air traffic delays to tooth decay, relies heavily on GPS. But those plans might… -
The Wrong Stuff
13 May 2009 | 6:20 pmTuesday's NTSB hearing on the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 is getting a lot of coverage and for a balanced technical assessment, I recommend you read a post by Sam. Sam is currently an RJ captain for a regional airline and a former Dash 8 first officer. I've never flown for a regional passenger airline and I have no flight time in the Dash 8, but I did a stint flying cargo under part 135. I have some experience with the duty time regulations, the economic stress that regional pilots face, and the effect this has on a pilot's performance. My conclusion is that pilots, the airlines, the…
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Cockpit Conversation
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Northern Ambitions
1 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pmI ate at a fried chicken place, but I didn't have chicken. I'd been told the perogies were the dish to have here. Boiled, fried in butter, then loaded with sour cream and big chunks of real chopped bacon they may have been, but not too often if you have to keep a current medical. Someone who I think is the cook/owner takes my order at the counter, and then I sit and wait for it. The only other customers are a young man drinking a pop at a window table, and two Mennonite couples. The men take off their traditional black felted hats and the women of course leave on their white caps. They're an… -
Tour of theTown
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmHappy Canada Day. Having told you were I am this week, I might as well show you around Fort Nelson. It's raison d'être is its position on the Alaska Highway, 400 km north of Ft. St. John, and its being an base camp for oil and gas exploration. The full time population is probably close to half and half native/non-native. The transient population is a combination of young white males driving pick up trucks, and retirement age white couples driving motorhomes with American licence plates. The highway runs right through the middle of town, paved, with a paved service road each side. There's are… -
New Use for a Transponder
28 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmThe transponder is a box full of circuitry in the airplane, connected to an antenna. There are fancy transponders that transmit all kinds of parameters, but your standard Mode C transponder transmits only the pressure altitude (it's gets the number from the encoding altimeter) and the four digit code that is entered on the transponder. You enter it either by turning a knob for each digit (the old kind) or by punching the four numbers on a keypad (the new kind). The four digit code is assigned by the ATC unit, usually just the next sequential one in the block that that unit controls. So the… -
Flare to Land ... Squat to Pee
27 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmAs I mentioned, some time ago I won a silly contest. Where the prize was a Go Girl, a device designed to allow women to pee standing up. It's smaller than I expected. So just like what it emulates, really. The whole thing is packed in a tube just a little fatter than the English Smarties tube. (Much fatter than the unrelated American Smarties roll). I need a more international basis of comparison. To tell the truth, it's pretty close to the typical flaccid size of what it's emulating. I open up the tube and and it contains a rolled up plastic bag with a sticker on it. I peel the sticker of… -
The Flaps That Make It Rise
26 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmRecently someone forwarded this article to a mailing list I read. In excerpt: Jumbo jet packed with British tourists seconds from disaster after it fails to rise on take-off By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 2:21 AM on 01st June 2009 Hundreds of passengers narrowly avoided disaster when their plane nearly crashed after taking off. The British Airways plane shook violently and did not rise more than 30ft above the ground as it set off from Johannesburg to London. The pilot has been praised for his quick actions in keeping the Boeing 747 in the air, saving the lives of the 256 passengers…
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How I Am Becoming An Astronaut
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Hello from Washington!
1 Jul 2009 | 1:11 pmEven though I am on vacation, I still try to visit either a school, company, or organization to talk about the Space Shuttle. So this time I just visited my sister's company, Tetra Tech to give a briefing on the Orbiter's Thermal Protection System and mission turn-around process. As for my vacation...We did a lot of hiking at Granite Falls and Mount Rainier National Park. We visited Ocean Shores and geesh was the water cold!! I have definitely become accustomed the to the warm Florida waters. :) The weather has been great here in Washington. Completely sunny and around the 70s. Tomorrow we… -
Headed to the West Coast :)
25 Jun 2009 | 11:21 amI will be a little idle from space-blogging for about a week. I’m headed to the West Coast to meet up with my family. We’re going to drive along the coast of Washington and Oregon. I’m very excited!! We’re going to get some hiking in, visit waterfalls, and caves….it’s going to be an awesome time. When I was younger, my dad used to take my sister and I camping to Yosemite. With everyone in different states, the logistics of a Yosemite trip was a little more difficult. So we’re starting off in Washington where my sister lives and we’re taking her kids along with us. I’ll try… -
Endeavour's External Tank Testing
25 Jun 2009 | 11:07 amEndeavour still sits on the pad in the Florida heat as engineers and technicians work on addressing the leak during tanking of the External Tank (ET).Next Wednesday, a full-up tanking test of Endeavour’s External Tank will be performed to test a potential solution to the leaking Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). The leading candidate for the cause of the leaks is believed to be related to the External Tank Carrier Assembly (ETCA) mounts. I’m pretty optimistic the tanking will go well and the fix will be successful. Launch is still scheduled for July 11th, 2009 at 7:39 p.m. EDT. -
The Atlas V launches!
18 Jun 2009 | 2:32 pmThe Atlas V rocket launched at 5:32 p.m. carrying NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the LCROSS impactor experiment!! -
LRO/LCROSS Launch: Weather is a concern
18 Jun 2009 | 1:12 pmNow 60 minutes from liftoff. Fueling of the Atlas V rocket with cryogenic liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen is proceeding as planned and activities remain on schedule for a liftoff at 5:12 p.m. EDT. Local thunderstorms are the only concern right now.If the weather or a technical problem prevents an on-time launch at 5:12 p.m. EDT, there are two later opportunities available at 5:22 and 5:32 p.m. EDT.
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Indy Transponder
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Tri-Motor Stars with Depp; New Guidance for Vintage Aircraft
2 Jul 2009 | 2:17 pmEAA's Ford Tri-Motor Hits the Silver Screen EAA planes, staff, and city of Oshkosh part of Public Enemies The major motion picture Public Enemies opened in theaters around the country July 1, and EAAers were finally able to see the organization's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor and parts of Pioneer Airport on the silver screen. EAA staffer Zachary Baughman was one of the first to see the film and gave it a big "thumbs up." Wisconsinites, and especially folks around Oshkosh, have been buzzing about the release of director Michael Mann's new film Public Enemies. Released nationwide on Wednesday,… -
ICAS Fast Facts -- July 2, 2009
2 Jul 2009 | 12:44 pmBLUE ANGELS TO MOVE TO TWO-YEAR SCHEDULE CYCLETo provide air shows with additional time to plan their events, the United States Navy Blue Angels will move to a two-year scheduling cycle beginning in 2010. Rather than the three to eleven months of advanced notice that air shows have had in the past, air shows will now know 15-23 months ahead of time that the team has committed to perform at a particular show on a particular date. The change was recently approved at the highest levels of the U.S. Navy leadership.“Much of the feedback we had received from the air show industry was that the air… -
Deadline extended to July 7th for reservations
2 Jul 2009 | 8:42 amDeadline extended to July 7th for reservations to historic National Aviation Hall of Fame ceremonies, moon mission celebration Apollo crew and Shuttle astronauts among aviation pioneers featured at NAHF President's Dinner and "Oscar Night of Aviation" in Dayton, July 17-18 (July 2, 2009 – Dayton, OH) The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) announced today an extension of its deadline for making reservations to attend its historic enshrinement events in Dayton on July 17 and 18th. The NAHF will take reservations through Tuesday, July 7th, for both its 2009 President's Reception &… -
The Museum of Flight: Apollo 11: An Artist's Perspective Opens July 1
2 Jul 2009 | 6:37 amGreetings! As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of humankind's first steps on the Moon on July 20, 1969, The Museum of Flight brings to Seattle the exhibit "Apollo 11: An Artist's Perspective - Original Sketches from NASA Artist Paul Calle." The exhibit will be on display in the Museum's "Space: Exploring the New Frontier" exhibit July 1 through September 7. Paul Calle was one of the first eight artists chosen by NASA in 1962 to document the American space program's Project Mercury. Calle continued to illustrate space exploration for the… -
Indy Transponder 2-JUL-09 1030z
2 Jul 2009 | 3:33 amBlue Angels Land - WBNG-TV The US Navy Blue Angels are landing their planes one by one. Tomorrow, pilots will practice maneuvers to get ready for their headline performance at the ... RED, WHITE AND BLUES IN BINGHAMTON – AirShowBuzz.com Binghamton, New York will celebrate the country's Fourth of July with the USN Blue Angels capping off an action packed show also featuring the US Army Golden Knights. Advanced World Aerobatic Champion Rob Holland also adds some spark to the weekend. Other Performers for the Holiday Weekend Vulcan confirmed for Shoreham Air Show - Mid Sussex Times ORGANISERS…
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AOPA ASF Blog: Safety eJournal
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Practical Test Standards - OK or Too Weak?
1 Jul 2009 | 7:14 amSome people complain that the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) are not sufficient for today’s flying complexities. I’m not so sure about that and here’s why. The basics of not crashing airplanes haven’t changed in decades but the legalities have. In our frequently over-thought, bureaucratic and legalized interpretation of just about everything, common sense often gets bounced because someone was clever enough to create a loophole and someone else wasn’t smart enough to call them on it. Thus things get rewritten and “strengthened.” The current PTS on… -
Freedom to Fly - Safely.
24 Jun 2009 | 12:40 pmAs we approach the Independence Day holiday, remember that one of our most cherished freedoms is flight. In most countries GA has effectively been legislated out of their airspace under the mantras of safety and security. Of course we know that the airspace belongs to the people - not the airlines and not the government. You’ll see on several other blogs and on the AOPA home page that will be posted this week or next, there is the encouragement to fly and to take a non-pilot companion along. In most cases it will be a dynamite experience. You’ll have had a great time sharing our… -
Engine Overhauls - Arbitrary or Necessary?
17 Jun 2009 | 11:51 amWhen should engines be overhauled? Some believe that the engine manufacturer’s recommendation are loose guidelines and that your mileage may vary greatly. Others adhere to them as gospel and treat them as mandatory. Times typically run between 1,500 and 2,500 hours and there’s usually a calendar factor of about 12 years so the guidance is for whatever comes first. Piston aircraft engines are extremely reliable when properly maintained, when flown regularly and correctly. You can see some important qualifiers creeping into the discussion. Some of the most outspoken advocates on… -
Get me to the hockey game on time
11 Jun 2009 | 7:00 amIf you’ve been keeping up with the legal trials of Cirrus Aircraft, you’ll know that they just had a major verdict go against them by a Minnesota jury regarding a fatal accident in an SR22. The crash occurred in January 2003 and according to the NTSB, the probable cause was “Spatial disorientation experienced by the pilot, due to a lack of visual references, and a failure to maintain altitude. Contributing factors were the pilot’s improper decision to attempt flight into marginal VFR conditions, his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, the low… -
It’s not the regulation, it’s the execution
3 Jun 2009 | 11:11 amIf you’ve been following the NTSB’s deliberations regarding Continental 3407, the Q-400 (Dash 8 derivative) that crashed in Buffalo this winter in what appears to have been a crew mishandling accident, you’ll know that this is going to be a landmark case. I’ve blogged on it twice; Time in Type and Travel? Buffalo Q-400, and Tail Stall?, but will use the mishap as a stepping off point to a broader topic. The U.S. Congress has called for a comprehensive review of all commercial airline pilot training and certification programs. On the face of it, that might seem like a…
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Thirty Thousand Feet Blog
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Airplane Geeks Come and Airplane Geeks Go
25 Jun 2009 | 2:45 amA recent press release:Evanston, IL June 22, 2009 - A change has come to the top, the top of aviation geekdom that is. Courtney Miller, one of the daring-duo founders of the Airplane Geeks podcast (www.airplanegeeks.com) one year ago this week has produced his final show for the world famous radio program as he moves on to a new job in Canada. Airplane Geeks is the always relevant - often irreverent - look at the previous week's aviation industry news. Replacing Courtney Miller are two bloggers and podcasters already well known to Airplane Geeks listeners. One who will valiantly attempt to… -
Aviation museum articles
18 Jun 2009 | 7:47 pmThirty Thousand Feet has begun publishing a series of sponsored Aviation Museum Articles. Each article provides information about a museum, including the museum’s mission, exhibits, program offerings, location, and admission prices. There is also a link to the museum’s web site.Three articles kick off the series:The Frontiers of Flight Museum located in Dallas, Texas. This museum provides a fun, interactive, and thorough walk through aviation history.The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum at Martin State Airport in Maryland. This museum has a general aviation focus, but is more… -
Paris Air Show 2009 video
18 Jun 2009 | 2:52 amFlightglobal has produced some great video at the 2009 Paris Air Show. The flight display highlights features the Eurofighter Typhoon, Airbus A-380, F-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130J Hercules, LH-10 Elipse, Bobin R-2160, and a beautiful old Lockheed Constellation. -
Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields
10 Jun 2009 | 2:43 amMy aviation website pick of the week from Episode 50 of the Airplane Geeks podcast:My pick is Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, a website with descriptions and images of 1,428 airfields in all 50 U.S. states.The author is Paul Freeman, a pilot who says he has always been interested in the abandoned airfields that are all over the country. These airfields can sometimes be critical to a pilot in an emergency, and sometimes they just have a fascinating history.To explore the site a bit, I pretty much randomly chose Jonnycake Airport in western CT. I found t was built between 1957-60,… -
Five Key Trends Impacting the Aerospace and Defense Industry Amid Challenging Economic Times
9 Jun 2009 | 3:18 amThe following opinion article was provided by Accenture. It was written by Damien Lasou and it sets the stage for the upcoming Paris airshow.As this year’s Paris Air Show comes into view, it’s become clear that fundamental change is in the air in aerospace and defense. The industry is shrinking on many different levels. On the decline industry-wide during the past year are a vast number of metrics including the number of airplanes manufactured, revenues and overall market size. The root cause, of course, is the extraordinarily challenging global economy.In Paris we will witness a…
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Sulako's Blog
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2 Jul 2009 | 11:16 am
2 Jul 2009 | 11:16 amAnarchy plane!I saw it sitting on the ramp this morning and was quite taken by the logo - you don't normally see the symbol for anarchy on a corporate jet.It's here because a punk / pop band called The Offspring is in town for a concert. The lead singer / guitarist flies it, kinda like Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden flying their tour Boeing 757, only on a somewhat smaller scale. The Offspring must have small, lean roadies and small, lean amplifiers :)Still working lots (latest thing is a maintenance audit) and looking for a house - Lisa has told me it's time we bought one so I guess we'll… -
29 Jun 2009 | 8:44 am
29 Jun 2009 | 8:44 amLife isn't all about aviation. I have other interests that are far more dangerous... Those are my special homemade hot apple bacon turnovers. It's just basically hot fresh apple pie filling with a strip of bacon stretched over turnover pastry with hot icing drizzled on. Add a large double-double coffee and some fruit salad and you're good to go.Now these are the full-meat version: Pastry-wrapped bbq-bacon-wrapped bbq'd ribs.I boil pork back ribs for just over an hour in some nice broth, then bbq at 550c for 15 minutes, turning once. After they are done, I use big scissors to chop the ribs… -
25 Jun 2009 | 5:08 pm
25 Jun 2009 | 5:08 pmBeen flying lots, but will have time to post tomorrow. I just got back from flying and saw that Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson have both passed. I will always have fond memories of Farrah's swimsuit poster, and of learning how to moonwalk like Michael and of staying up to watch the world premiere of the Thriller video on Friday Night Videos when I was a kid. The world is a little less interesting today :(I'm gonna pour a half beer on the curb for the two of them, then drink the rest of it and go to bed. -
17 Jun 2009 | 4:22 am
17 Jun 2009 | 4:22 amMy original post today asked about the possibility of hitching a ride to pick up our plane, and offering to pay for some of the gas of whatever airplane took us there. I quickly got a really informative email from a nice fellow who politely explained that what I was asking for was illegal in the USA. I consulted the FAA regs and it turns out that I can't offer to pay gas for a ride - in Canada the rules are different, and I'll do up a blog post tomorrow detailing the differences.I have deleted the original post as it no longer applies (I think we'll just snag a rental car and drive the 7… -
15 Jun 2009 | 1:07 pm
15 Jun 2009 | 1:07 pmIn Canada as of July 1st, if we want to do charter flights we need TCAS 1 at a minimum. If we want to fly above 29,000' (and jets generally do, for fuel efficiency) then we need to get TCAS 2. Private flights are unaffected.Those of you in the USA are probably going "What? Is the FAA really going to make all charter aircraft install incredibly expensive equipment?" Nope. This rule is Canadian-only, which I find really surprising - usually Transport Canada follows the FAA's, but apparently in this case they wanted to lead the charge toward mandatory expensive equipment additions during the…
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IAGblog Podcasts
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How about Austin?
1 Jul 2009 | 10:28 amStill planning a vacation and need ideas? Uptake.com's Alison Osborne is an Austin native and paints a picture of warm and friendly outdoors in Texas' capital. And there's a lot to do at night. Austin is famous for its music scene. Every night there are live music acts to enjoy. Alison also talks about the food - from TexMex to BBQ. Austin sounds amazing! -
The downturn and its potential meaning for airlines
29 Jun 2009 | 12:11 pmATW's Perry Flint talks about the current downturn and provides some intriguing insight. Has air travel changed forever? Has the premium travel sector shrunk forever? Has it gone the way of the three martini lunch and the personal assistant? We might be in the midst of a fundamental shift in air travel and the implications for the industry are far reaching. -
Action & Adventure in Oregon
24 Jun 2009 | 1:41 pmIn another of our series about vacation ideas for the summer, Uptake.com lodging editor and expert Nancy Brown takes us on a 6 day road trip through Oregon. Full of details and ideas, the podcast left us with a desire to go looking for a deal right away. And lots of places to eat! -
Air India on the skids
24 Jun 2009 | 12:05 pmAir India is in trouble - it has little cash and cash flow is draining what's left. Massive excess employment, sticky fingers from the government down the management and a typical state owned culture have all played their part. Devesh Argawal explains what's going on. -
The demise of service
23 Jun 2009 | 9:17 amSteven Frischling knows his travel. A frequent traveler and the founder of TheTravelStrategist.com, Steven explains what's wrong with airlines. He praises PanAm and singles out Southwest for praise. He then walks us through his experiences with Alitalia in detail. The human touch is what makes service work. There are some firms that get it - but many (most?) don't.
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Runway Girl
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VIDEO: How hot is in-flight mobile connectivity? Scorching!
2 Jul 2009 | 2:21 pmI've been meaning to get this video blog out for weeks. It covers my trip to Vancouver for the Inmarsat aeronautical conference, which was highly informative and, well, loads of fun. But some very unfortunate events occurred to prevent the video from making a timely entrance, including but not limited to - a complete crash of a hard drive, the temporary loss of my camera and a little thing called the Paris Air Show. But enough excuses. Here is the vlog for your edification (okay, okay, it might not improve you spiritually or morally, in fact I know it won't, but I like that word). -
Groundbreaking series of recorded interviews on AF447 crash
2 Jul 2009 | 1:16 pmWhat happened to Air France flight AF447? The answers aren't coming easily or quickly, with the latest reports saying the Airbus A330 did not break up in mid-air. But one firm, aviation consultancy Innovation Analysis Group (IAG), has been talking with experts about the tragedy since 5 June. In less than a month IAG has compiled what must be one of the most comprehensive series of recorded interviews concerning the tragic event - and what could have been done differently - than any other organization. IAG's Addision Schonland has talked to everyone from former NTSB VP Robert… -
Alaska, Southwest urge FCC to approve Row 44's application (plus an oops!)
2 Jul 2009 | 12:17 pmGood God almighty, it seems I mixed up my FCC filings the other day (I can't imagine how that happened. That site is a walk in the park). But I digress. Here is the appropriate filing - you'll see it has a rather similar thrust to the 2008 document. But much more importantly, here is the link to Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines' 1 July 2009 - yes, 2009 - request to the FCC to approve Row 44's application. Three key quotes: "...competing airlines are moving forward with their own in-flight broadband services, and Southwest and Alaska Airlines need to move forward promptly with… -
Gulf Air CEO talks iPhone and connectivity in final speech
2 Jul 2009 | 6:40 amGulf Air today announced that CEO Bjorn Naf is to step down and be replaced by current Royal Jordanian Airlines chief Samer Majali. But yesterday, while Naf was still head of the Middle Eastern carrier, he gave a speech at the Aviation club in London. In what could be the Swiss exec's last public appearance as Gulf's CEO, Naf spoke lovingly about the iPhone. More to the point, he said he wants to use it for every aspect of his travelling experience - EVERY aspect, including his own health monitoring (but of course, connectivity could be used to help monitor aircraft health as… -
Nearly 70% of airlines plan to invest in connectivity: study
1 Jul 2009 | 1:23 pmIf you haven't done so already, head on over to SITA's web site and check out CEO Francesco Violante's speech today at the Air Transport IT summit. He has loads of interesting things to say, but for the IFE&C crowd, here is the big news: Some 68% of airlines plan to invest in IP broadband connectivity both to and from aircraft over the next three years, according to a joint survey conducted by Airline Business and SITA. Says Violante: The mobile passenger is connected onboard via the technology already available - for example, by OnAir - as we will hear later today. The…
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Airspeed
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Battle Creek 2009 - Arrival
2 Jul 2009 | 4:32 amThis is a regular blog post. Show notes and links to show audio appear in other posts.Hello, Battle Creek! Rain and general malaise last night on the way here. Again! Must be a theme developing each year.But a reasonably nice morning. No balloon launch, though. The winds are fine, but ceilings were pretty low at 6:00 when I showed up at the airport. The word had apparently already gone out to the balloonists because nobody was there around briefing time. Normally, if there’s going to be a launch, the place is full of hyper-caffeinated balloon crews with trailers.A shame because the clouds… -
Welcome Squeaky Force; MSU Gets A-10s; and Battle Creek Kicks Off
1 Jul 2009 | 7:31 amThis is a regular blog post. If you’re looking for show notes or links to show audio, please check out the other entries.Please greet the newest Airspeed listener. Stephen John Summerfield was born Thursday, June 25. And, yeah, the “Stephen” comes from where you think it comes from. How cool! Youngest listener to be coined (two days old). And he already has a callsign. “Squeaky.” For reasons that become obvious when you meet him.Cole drew the above picture for me recently. He’s a big Michigan State fan (for no apparent reason - his parents went to Albion, Western Michigan, Wayne… -
The Guy in the Red Airplane
19 Jun 2009 | 2:07 pmSubscribe to Airspeed through iTunes or your favorite other podcatcher. It's all free!These are the show notes to an audio episode. You can listen online right here by clicking: http://media.libsyn.com/media/airspeed/AirspeedRedAirplane.mp3. As Airspeed steams into its fourth airshow season, I’m in top gear heading out to shows and having some of the coolest experiences available below Class Alpha airspace. And I just had a day-long experience up in the Alpha on a KC-135R Stratotanker, too. More on that soon. I don’t think that anyone could say that I’ve spared much effort in chasing… -
Not a Bad Way to Spend A Wednesday - KC-135R Refueling Mission
18 Jun 2009 | 4:28 amThis is a regular blog post. If you’re looking for show notes or links to show audio, please check out the other posts.There are many ways to spend a Wednesday. Being in the office handling challenging legal matters for sophisticated clients is one of them. And there are no flies on that particular means of spending a Wednesday. I know. That’s how I spend most Wednesdays.But then there are those Wednesdays prior to which you get a call and are offered a chance to ride along on a KC-135R Stratotanker with the airmen of the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron/434th Air Refueling Wing of the United… -
Battle Creek Behind the Scenes - Airshow Director Barb Haluszka
13 Jun 2009 | 7:56 amSubscribe to Airspeed through iTunes or your favorite other podcatcher. It's all free!These are the show notes to an audio episode. You can listen online right here by clicking: http://media.libsyn.com/media/airspeed/AirspeedBarb2009.mp3.It just wouldn’t be airshow season on Airspeed without talking to Barb Haluszka, the executive director of the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow and Balloon Festival. This will be my fourth year covering the show and I always like to talk to Barb ahead of time to get a preview of the show and to get a better idea of what goes on behind the scenes to put…
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Ask the Pilot - Salon.com
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Ask the pilot
26 Jun 2009 | 3:06 amWas ice the culprit in last week's deadly plane crash? Or some other unlikely chain of events? -
When a pilot dies mid-flight
26 Jun 2009 | 3:06 amAre passengers at risk? Plus: Plenty of flotsam and jetsam, but no real answers in Air France crash -
Ask the pilot
26 Jun 2009 | 3:06 amCan commercial jets fly upside down? Has terrorism forced a change in transoceanic flight paths? And other probing questions for our expert. -
Flight 447's perfect storm
26 Jun 2009 | 3:06 amThe media loves the "wrong speed" theory, but a lightning strike and electrical failure are more likely culprits. -
Ask the pilot
26 Jun 2009 | 3:06 amIt wasn't heroics that saved the passengers of Flight 1549. It was professionalism -- and luck.
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Nuts About Southwest -
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Southwest Airlines Celebrates Freedom Week
2 Jul 2009 | 11:00 amIn honor of Independence Day, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty flew around the Southwest System to share their Southwest LUV! -
Southwest Airlines Begins Service to New York City
1 Jul 2009 | 11:00 amOn June 28, 2009, Southwest Airlines began service to its 66th wonderful destination...New York City! Southwest Airlines is now serving New York City travelers from LaGuardia with eight daily nonstop flights—five daily nonstops to Chicago Midway and three daily nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington. In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct or connecting service to more than 45 destinations from New York City, including: Las Vegas, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego, just to name a few. -
Southwest began service to LGA on Sunday, June 28th. What's your favorite song about the Big Apple?
29 Jun 2009 | 9:48 am -
Interns Independence
26 Jun 2009 | 9:42 amWith the Fourth of July just around the corner, Red Belly Radio wanted to show our LUV for our great country and give some interesting and random facts about one of our favorite holidays. We have an action packed podcast full of trivia and oddities about our country's Founding Fathers with special guests Nina and Sarah, two Southwest interns this summer. -
Our First Flight & the Bovine Challenge
24 Jun 2009 | 12:21 pmWith our 38th anniversary last week, I dug out this interview for Red Belly Radio that I have been saving. Bob Phillips was on our very first flight from Dallas some 38 years ago and he asks a simple question about cows and how they stand up.
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Planenews Aviation News Portal
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World's Only Flying Pitcairn PA-18 Arrives in Oshkosh.
1 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amAround this time last year, Jack and Kate Tiffany, of Spring Hill, Ohio, Jim Hammond, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and the crew of Leading Edge Restorations were anticipating the flight of the recently restored Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro to Oshkosh for AirVenture 2008. However, the rotor blades were significantly damaged during testing about a week prior to Oshkosh and the flight had to be called off... -
Marines Fly First MV-22 Osprey MEDEVAC.
1 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amThe 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit made history June 25 when it used two MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) to conduct a ship-to-shore emergency medical evacuation of a Sailor from the USS Bataan... -
Assembling of First JF-17 Fighter Aircraft Begins.
1 Jul 2009 | 7:11 amKAMRA: The final assembling of Pakistan's first JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft began on Tuesday. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, inaugurated the work at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex... -
Solar-Powered Airplane Rolls Out.
1 Jul 2009 | 7:10 amA follow on to the Solar Impulse electric airplane that rolled out in Switzerland in June may circle the world in 2012. The development model, unveiled by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, will fly at the end of 2009 and gather data for the final model. It can fly both night and day using batteries and solar power... -
NASA Moon Shot Gets Rocket Blast, More Money.
1 Jul 2009 | 6:21 amNASA continued to develop its future moon landing program this week by getting a positive test on the rocket it might use to land humans on the moon and increasing the budget for the spacecraft it will use to get them there...
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FliteJobs.com
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REF 986: B737-400 contract ***JULY SCREENING*** with Rishworth Aviation Limited
30 Jun 2009 | 4:52 pmCompany: Rishworth Aviation Limited Description: REF 986: B737-400 contract ***JULY SCREENING*** Duration: Three years, renewable Base: Tokyo Starts: Screenings will be in July An exciting opportunity for B737-400 Captains to enjoy everything Japan has to offer! Experience: *Age limit 56 years at start of contract *5,000 hours total flight experience *1,000 hours PIC *Minimum of 500 hrs PIC on B737 EFIS *Current ICAO or FAA ATPL *Good English skills Choose from either Commuting or Non Commuting contract Accommodation allowance Relocation allowance Travel benefits Please register your details… -
REF 664: B777 Captains with Rishworth Aviation Limited
30 Jun 2009 | 4:09 pmCompany: Rishworth Aviation Limited Description: REF 664: B777 Captains Duration: Long term Base: Various bases available worldwide Start: Flexible TREs, TRIS and Line Captains for excellent opportunity! Qualifications: - Min 500 h PIC on B777, or - Min 100 h PIC on B777 and 2000 hrs PIC total Pilots need to have flown the B777 as PIC within the last 12 months... Read the full job post at FliteJobs.com Requirements: Qualifications: - Min 500 h PIC on B777, or - Min 100 h PIC on B777 and 2000 hrs PIC total Pilots need to have flown the B777 as PIC within the last 12 months. Valid ATPL Post… -
Chief Operating Officer (TAS) with AeroPersonnel Global
30 Jun 2009 | 12:30 pmCompany: AeroPersonnel Global Description: Chief Operating Officer (090311) Our Client, a well established Middle East airline, requires for immediate employment a Chief Operating Officer for one of its subsidiary... Read the full job post at FliteJobs.com Post info: Posted: Jun 30, 2009 Expires: Aug 29, 2009 -
Head of Ground Operations with AeroPersonnel Global
30 Jun 2009 | 12:29 pmCompany: AeroPersonnel Global Description: Head of Ground Operations (090324) Our Client, a well established Middle East airline, requires for immediate employment a Head of Ground Operations for one of its subsidiary... Read the full job post at FliteJobs.com Post info: Posted: Jun 30, 2009 Expires: Aug 29, 2009 -
Chief Operating Officer (ASA) with AeroPersonnel Global
30 Jun 2009 | 12:28 pmCompany: AeroPersonnel Global Description: Chief Operating Officer (ASA) Our Client, a well known Middle East airline, requires for immediate employment a Chief Operating Officer. Candidates must: - hold a recognized University Degree in Business Management; - have at least twenty years of experience in the airline industry; - have at least ten years of experience in middle to senior management positions in a wide and/or narrow body aircraft scheduled airline environment; - have a minimum of five years of experience as CEO or COO in a wide and/or narrow body aircraft scheduled airline…
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Jetrecord
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"NWAC J3 CHECKOUT" logged by j3paul
28 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJune 29, 2009 Aircraft: N48612 Route: AWO 1.0 hrs X WIND LANDING AND TAXI PRACTICE RUNWAYS 29 AND 34. -
"Niagara Falls Take 2" logged by zhiquan
27 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJune 28, 2009 Aircraft: N2152Z Route: KBTP FKL V115 BUF KIAG BUF V115 FKL KBTP 4.3 hrs Second flight to Niagara Falls in 2 days, awesome! Rainy day though, and flying through precip and dodging clouds is "interesting" but nerve wracking. Minor turbulence along the way, but Approach managed to guide us around the bad ones and out of precip cells, which was a big help. -
"Niagara Falls Take 1" logged by zhiquan
26 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJune 27, 2009 Aircraft: N2152Z Route: KBTP FKL V115 BUF KIAG BUF V115 FKL KBTP 4.1 hrs First flight to Niagara Falls as a Private Pilot. Beautiful day, beautiful scenery and all in all an awesome flight. -
"2009-6-27-n327up-anc+sdf" logged by captainslim
26 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJune 27, 2009 Aircraft: N327UP Route: ANC SDF 6.1 hrs -
"2009-6-26-n305up-kix+anc" logged by captainslim
25 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJune 26, 2009 Aircraft: N305UP Route: KIX ANC 7.4 hrs
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Jetwhine
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And the Survey Says: Do Airports Waste Economic Impact Data?
2 Jul 2009 | 6:10 amFor reasons unimportant here, I look at a lot of airport websites because they are a primary communication channel for anyone who uses or is interested in learning more about them. So I’m on the Airport Information page of the Centennial Airport website the other day, and a large subhead — 2008 Economic Impact Study — catches my eye. Hmm. There’s a link I don’t ever remember seeing on another airport’s website. After clicking on — and gleefully reading — the treasure chests of information, I wondered if Colorado was the only state that conducted… -
Test
1 Jul 2009 | 8:12 pma8fhsv75t2 -
Artful Flying
28 Jun 2009 | 3:41 pmOne thing you never want to do is give me a book to review. I read them quickly, but often take forever to getting around to telling people what I thought of the experience, which pretty much defeats the purpose of the review … at least from the stance of the author. And I ought to know, I’ve written a few books myself. Tardiness of writing has little to do with the quality of the books I read, certainly not this one. My cohort in crime Scott Spangler told me about this book - Artful Flying by Michael Maya Charles and Artful Publishing - with the comment that he often finds… -
Alternate States: For & Against Their Airports
24 Jun 2009 | 9:23 pmThe politician is an amazing form of life, a shining example that the only reliable human constant is inconsistency–especially when it comes to aviation, specifically smaller airplanes and their airports. Some, like those from Nebraska, get it, and others, like those in Ohio, do not (or they’ve never taken the time to learn). In Ohio’s general revenue budget the House gave small airports (like Dayton’s Wright Brothers Airport) $1.2 million a year for improvements and inspections. The Senate cut these funds to help make up a roughly billion dollar shortfall. The… -
Lessons From the Crash of Air France 447
21 Jun 2009 | 8:08 pmHaving just traveled to Paris on an Air France A330 a week before the crash of Flight 447, I took a rather personal interest in the crisis wondering whether it might have been the same aircraft I’d flown on the week before for starters and a host of other things. But the crash was obviously about much more than me. I didn’t lose anyone in the horrible event of June 1. With a few notable exceptions, Continental and Southwest, I’m not normally very patient with airlines about how they interact with customers because they usually do such a lousy job of it. That’s why I…
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Airplane Geeks Podcast
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Episode 54 – Taking it One Mile at a Time
30 Jun 2009 | 3:23 amBen from the One Mile at a Time blog joins Dan, Max and Rob to talk aviation news and how to fly a lot of miles on the cheap. Boeing delays 787 first flight again, cites excessive stress in ‘upperwing join area’ In Blow to Boeing, Qantas Drops Order Boeing Delay Upends Plans of Leasing Firms Clear service for fliers abruptly shuts down FAA panel to develop rules on pilot fatigue by September Terrified tourists boycott Thomas Cook flight home after being told to sit at back ‘to help balance the jet’ Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary wants passengers to carry all their… -
Episode 53 – Benet, Jon, and Mary
24 Jun 2009 | 6:06 pmCo-hosts Rob, Dan, and Max are joined by guests Jon Ostrower (Flightblogger), Benet Wilson (AviationWeek), and Mary Kirby (RunwayGirl). This episode focuses on the Paris Airshow, but we’ve also got Dan’s interview with with Gary Kelly, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, our report from the boys down under at the Airplane Geeks Australia Desk, a This Week in Aviation segment, a bit by Courtney (remember him?), and listener mail. Rob selected sky-lens as this week’s aviation website pick of the week. There you’ll find great aviation photographs by François Brévot,… -
Episode 52 – Southwest and Emerging Media
16 Jun 2009 | 4:32 amPaula Berg, Manager of Emerging Media at Southwest Airlines, joins Max and Dan for a discussion of how Southwest communicates with it’s customers through participation in new media. News from the past week: American Air to Slash 1,600 Jobs, Delta May Follow Boeing sees $3.2 trillion market for planes over next 20 years United defends liquidity position, moves carefully on fleet renewal Skepticism Surrounds Potential United Aircraft Order Incheon International Airport is Named World’s Best Airport 2009 Family joins Air France jet probe Flight 447’s perfect storm Dan has a… -
Episode 51 – Farewell Courtney
8 Jun 2009 | 9:15 pmThis is Court’s last episode as he leaves the podcast to head North in search of employment. Rob Mark from JetWhine.com and Dan Webb from ThingsintheSky.com replace Courtney as Max’s co-hosts and, as usual with these two, things get funny quickly. Crash Prompts Call For Black Box Reforms United May Purchase 150 Planes From Boeing or Airbus US shells out $10M for unmanned aircraft that can perch like a bird AOPA and EAA work to protect, grow GA House passes Chaffetz bill banning ‘invasive’ airport screenings Budget Airline to Charge for Toilet Use (…again)… -
Episode 50.5 – Interview with Eddy P. from Ascend Worldwide
4 Jun 2009 | 9:06 amMax and Court are joined by Eddy Pieniazek from Ascend Worldwide. You’ll find the interview with Eddy, our famous word associations, as well as Max’s pick of the week. Max’s pick of the week is Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields Don’t forget to send us your ideas for Airplane Geeks T-Shirts! The Airplane Geeks are now on Twitter! You can follow us @AirplaneGeeks. Make sure to sign up for our new newsletter, “Airplane Geeks Week in Aviation.” We’ll be bringing you these show notes, as well as some of the week’s news we didn’t have time to cover. You can sign up at…
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My Flight Blog
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Spread Your Wings and Fly
24 Jun 2009 | 6:03 pm"I have never been a very frightened person. But there is one thing I am terribly scared of, and that is that I would wake up one day, be 82 years old and realize I didn't live the life I... -
Knowing When It Is Time to Go-Around
22 Jun 2009 | 5:28 pmWhen I was learning to land my flight instructor spent significant time focusing on how to perform a go-around. She beat into my head that a go-around was not in anyway a failure but the smart and safe thing to... -
Airbus A380 is Coming to AirVenture 2009
19 Jun 2009 | 12:47 pmThe folks at the always do an excellent job of bringing in the top aviation attractions to their annual airshow. One of the exciting additions to the 2009 roster will be the Airbus A380. I have enjoyed sneaking peaks of... -
Two Bloggers Flying Across America
18 Jun 2009 | 4:14 pmOne of the things I love about General Aviation is the great community of pilots. The pilot community is also very active on the Internet as represented by the long yet not exhaustive list of blogs on my blogroll. Two... -
Quest for the Best $100 Hamburger
16 Jun 2009 | 3:20 pmAs a regular participant of user review site Yelp, I decided to create a list of my $100 Hamburger experiences. I have added a Yelp $100 Hamburger badge to the right-hand column of my Blog where you will be able...
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The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast
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Cross Winds Are Painless - Aviation Podcast #162
19 Jun 2009 | 7:10 amThis week on TFP we look at how crosswinds will effect the pattern circuit from takeoff, all the way through landing. Please enjoy The Finer Points! Fly Your Best, Jason -
Un-Restricted - Aviation Podcast #161
31 May 2009 | 6:15 pmThis week on TFP we look at The Finer Points of getting cleared through Restricted airspace. Please enjoy TFP! Fly Your Best, Jason -
Aviation Safety Session #28
22 May 2009 | 12:37 pmThis week on TFP we talk with 2008 National CFI of the year, Max Trescott about the Colgan air flight 3407 crash near Buffalo, New York. Please enjoy The Finer Points! Fly Your Best, Jason -
Havin' Fun In The Sun III - Aviation Podcast #160
17 May 2009 | 7:36 amThis week on The Finer Points we listen in on select highlights of a live radio broadcast from the broadcast headquarters of Sun N Fun Radio. -
Aviation Safety Session #27
9 May 2009 | 8:34 amIn this episode we talk with a 400 hour commercial pilot, Dave, who holds an instrument rating and flies out of the Pheonix Arizona area. Dave tells about a close encounter he had with a runaway autopilot. Please enjoy TheFinerPoints!
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EAA - The Experimental Aircraft Association
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EAA Helps Finalize Part 23 Certification Process Review Report
25 Jun 2009 | 3:13 pmFor the past year and a half EAA staff have been a part of the FAA Small Aircraft Directorate's Part 23 Certification Process Review, the FAA's first step as it looks towards revising the current regulations under which small aircraft (under 12,500 lbs) are produced. The report will present a variety of suggestions including a thoughtful approach to rethinking the methodology of how aircraft are defined within Part 23. -
Rarified Air-World's only flying Pitcairn PA-18 arrives in Oshkosh
25 Jun 2009 | 3:13 pmAround this time last year, Jack and Kate Tiffany, of Spring Hill, Ohio, and the crew of Leading Edge Restorations, were anticipating the flight of their recently restored Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro to Oshkosh for AirVenture 2008. However, the rotor blades were significantly damaged during testing about a week prior to Oshkosh and the flight had to be called off. -
Walk Through the A380 at AirVenture
25 Jun 2009 | 3:13 pmFollowing the blockbuster announcement in April that the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, EAA and Airbus today announced even greater accessibility of this modern marvel to the aviation enthusiasts who will visit Oshkosh next month to see it. -
Aspen Avionics Visits Oshkosh
25 Jun 2009 | 3:13 pmBrad Hayden, director of marketing for Aspen Avionics, visited EAA Headquarters in Oshkosh on June 25 to renew Aspen's partnership with EAA to host the North 40 Welcome Center during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, having instituted the Center for the first time in 2008. -
EAA, AOPA Seek Extended Comment Period on Proposed Burbank Airport Night Curfew
24 Jun 2009 | 2:57 pmEAA and AOPA are asking the FAA to extend the public comment period from 30 to 60 days regarding a petition to impose a night flight curfew at the Bob Hope Airport (BUR) in Burbank, California.
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Popular Science - Military, Aviation & Space
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Swiss Solar Plane to Circle the Globe with No Fuel
2 Jul 2009 | 2:32 pmSolar Impulse: The Solar Impulse is the prototype of a fuel-free aircraft that is designed to circle the globe on sunlight alone. Solar Impulse/Stephane Gros As environmental concerns increasingly shape the direction of technology, the future of aviation is no exception: scientists have been looking to replace fuel-guzzling aircraft with solar-powered variants, an innovation that, in addition to passing the green test, would also enable planes to linger in the sky for longer. read more -
Darpa's First Robotic Ornithopter Hovers, Flies Like a Hummingbird
2 Jul 2009 | 12:14 pmA few years from now, bird-watchers may be in for a double take: that flapping creature in the distance? Nope, not a bird. Mutant dragon fly? Nope--it's Darpa's latest unmanned aerial robo-sentinel, inspired by the flight mechanics of birds. read more -
NASA Reconsiders Its Moon Plans
1 Jul 2009 | 12:45 pmNext year, 33 years after its maiden flight, the space shuttle will retire. What happens after that has become subject to fierce debate within the space agency. The designated successor program, named Constellation, was the darling of previous NASA administrator Michael Griffin, but a new review now has the space agency looking elsewhere for a ride back into the firmament. read more -
International Space Station to Get a Big, Beautiful Window
1 Jul 2009 | 6:40 amWe've seen private tourists and urine-recycling water filters make their way onto the International Space Station, but breathtaking views have never been the station's strongest selling point. Because of external hazards such as solar radiation and orbiting space debris, the biggest window is only 20 inches. Until now, that is. read more -
Kaguya Spots Uranium, Raising Hope of Nuclear-Powered Lunar Colonies
30 Jun 2009 | 1:34 pmBefore its planned end-of-life crash landing, which it broadcasted dutifully in HD, Japan's Kaguya lunar craft used its gamma ray spectrometer to find the "first conclusive evidence" of uranium on the lunar surface. read more
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Greteman Group Blog
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A rose by any other name…
29 Jun 2009 | 2:03 pmI’ve been blissfully happy since my marriage a month ago. But that happy state is being challenged by the seemingly endless challenges that come from changing my last name from Gore to Wiley. Before the wedding, taking your husband’s surname seems romantic and endearing, but after the “I do’s”, it’s just a bunch of notarized paperwork, standing in lines and training everyone you know to stop calling you by the name they’ve known you by your whole life. Who’s Mrs. Wiley? At work, my new email address is active and the new business cards are on the way. I’ve updated my iChat… -
Marc’s Picks for Final Friday – June
24 Jun 2009 | 2:36 pmIt’s sweltering outside, and the gallery scene for this month shows no sign of cooling off either. To help you plan your Final Friday in Wichita, I offer this list of must-see shows for June. Linda K. Robinson at Center Gallery Linda K. Robinson at Jones Gallery See Linda – not just once, but twice – in two separate shows this Friday. You‘ll notice the influence of Linda’s minimalist approach in the works of many young local photographers. Attend these two great shows and you’ll understand why. Center Gallery, 111 S. Ellis, 6-10 p.m. Jones Gallery, 414 S. Commerce, 6–10 p.m. -
Love Means Responsibility
12 Jun 2009 | 12:27 pmOne of my biggest passions in life is animals. My animal portfolio has included dogs, cats, parakeets, chickens (yes, pet chickens), and hamsters. There’s never been a time I’ve been without a pet companion. Recently, my husband and I welcomed an abandoned dog into our home (in addition to our two cats). The dog — a brown and tan mini dachshund we named Pronto Pup in honor of a Kansas State Fair food favorite — had been living on the streets in a friend’s neighborhood. We don’t know Pronto’s story, but too often animals are dumped on the streets. Perhaps financial… -
The Wichita Aero Club Ball: An Affair to Remember
9 Jun 2009 | 10:02 amServing as co-chair of the recent Wichita Aero Club Ball reminded me of my wedding. Countless hours of planning. Meetings with vendors. Analyzing budgets. Determining the menu. Fretting over every detail. Wondering why people refuse to RSVP until the last minute. Waking up in the middle of the night the week before with checklist items running through my head. Then it’s time. The day arrives. When it’s over, you’re completely exhausted. But gratified. More than 200 members of the aviation community nationwide came together to attend this inaugural event. In addition to an evening of… -
The Oprah Factor
2 Jun 2009 | 1:33 pmWe were delighted to hear Oprah Winfrey happily, unabashedly telling Duke University graduates that she loves her private jet – a custom-built Bombardier Global Express XRS. Robert Frank, a Wall Street Journal blogger, went so far as to suggest that the aviation industry forget productivity and economic arguments and just run a picture of Oprah with the line, “It’s great to have a private jet.” It’s certainly true that having someone with Oprah’s influence weigh in on the topic does more than any conventional ad possibly could. We just hope that, as the debate continues, she has a…
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aroundthepattern.com
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Pylon Racing School
26 Jun 2009 | 11:23 amLast week the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) conducted it’s 2009 Pylon Racing School (PRS) at Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, NV. There are three situations that require a pilot a pilot to attend PRS. First, if a pilot has never raced in the National Championship Air Races he or she would have to receive their race certification by graduating from the PRS course. Second, even if a pilot is certified to race in a given class of aircraft, if he or she decided to race in a different class of aircraft they must go through the course again in that new aircraft class. An example would be… -
Long Distance Communications
22 Jun 2009 | 7:45 amThere has been some discussion recently about long distance communications, specifically in relation to what could or should have been transmitted from Air France flight 447 before it disappeared on it’s flight from Rio De Janeiro (GIG) to Paris (CDG) on June 1st. There appear to be some misconceptions about what types of communication are used between aircraft and Air Traffic Control and a confusion between Air Traffic Control and radar contact on longhaul flights. I thought a little information about how my international flights are conducted might clear up some of the confusion. The… -
Virgins, Dull Company and the Great North
15 Jun 2009 | 5:25 amI’m in the middle of a layover in Shanghai and finally have time to work on another post for you. I have had several layovers here and have progressed past the point of feeling like I need to go out and find something to buy. Wandering the shopping areas here is what I call “combat shopping”. As you walk along the side streets or through the well known tourist shopping areas the shop workers yell out their wares and will occasionally grab you by the arm to lead you into their shop. I know of one pilot who had a special t-shirt made for his layovers here. It said on the front… -
Celebrate July 4th by Going Flying!
5 Jun 2009 | 10:46 amThe latest AOPA newsletter has this segment included: Celebrate your freedom to fly This year, celebrate July 4 by taking wing! For 233 years, America has led the world in defining and defending individual freedoms. Our unwavering commitment to these ideals has brought us rewards unimagined by the generations who passed them on. Among them is the ultimate expression of freedom—flight. Today, more than 500,000 Americans from all walks of life fly, continuing the tradition of inspiration and innovation that only freedom brings. On that holiday weekend, plan a flight to celebrate your… -
Trip Notes
30 May 2009 | 3:04 pmI’ve been on an airline trip forever. Well, not really, but it sure seems like it. There hasn’t been very much to report about the trip. The second leg started in the rain, but the rest of that leg was glass smooth. We have had a little turbulence on some legs, but our outstanding meteorology department has recommended altitudes which have kept us out of the really nasty bumps. No whitecaps in the coffee cup so far. Enroute we’ll often talk to each other about what we do in our time off. In one of those conversations I found out that one of the other copilots was going to go…
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Golf Hotel Whiskey
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Artful Flying book review
2 Jul 2009 | 8:48 amRobert Mark (or specifically his friend Scott Spangler) has stumbled upon a book called Artful Flying by Michael Maya Charles and Artful Publishing and he proceeds to write a very thoughtful book review about it on JetWhine. Now I must admit that I have not yet read or for that matter have I even thumbed [...] -
“George’s” skill upgrade: Auto-takeoffs and landings
1 Jul 2009 | 8:19 amFew pilots may realize that the autopilot, or simply known as “George,” actually dates back to 1912 (according to Wikipedia) and thus, almost to the first days of flight. Hence, it is inevitable that “George” will some day not only be able to fly the plane during a flight but he will also be able [...] -
Why you MUST speak English (even in Germany) to fly
29 Jun 2009 | 7:02 amA Pan Am 727 flight waiting for start clearance in Munich overheard the following: Lufthansa (in German): "Ground, what is our start clearance time?" Ground (in English): "If you want an answer you must speak in English." Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany. Why must I speak English?" [...] -
Best of the Web
28 Jun 2009 | 7:25 amTop Five Coolest Retro (Small) Airplane Brands. Garland Pollard has posted an entry on BrandLandUSA.com about the top five coolest retro small airplane brands. His choices are the Pilatus PC-6, Viking Air Turbo Beaver, Cessna Skycatcher, The Britten-Norman Islander and the EADS CASA. Although it appears that Garland is not a pilot, his choices are [...] -
Choosing a poor man’s electronic flight bag (EFB)
26 Jun 2009 | 8:14 amAn Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is a handy electronic information management device that helps pilots and flight crews be more efficient and can literally replace just about all of the paper-based reference materials such as the Aircraft Operating Manual and the navigational charts found in a pilot’s flight bag. However, choosing such a device, let [...]
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AviationChatter.com
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Thunderstorm Avoidance The Old Fashioned Way
1 Jul 2009 | 1:33 amSummer is upon us and with it comes the inevitable thunderstorm. This is especially true in the Southeast where the forecast for “vicinity thunderstorms” dominates nearly every TAF. Thunderstorms don’t always have to spell out a cancelled flight, but proper thunderstorm avoidance requires a heightened level of awareness from us as pilots. The safest way [...] -
VFR Flight Above the Clouds
24 Jun 2009 | 4:00 amA lot of VFR pilots talk about punching through holes in the cloud deck and flying on top. This usually raises a few eyebrows, and brings up a few questions. Is this legal? And more importantly, is it safe? Is it legal? To answer the first question, yes it is perfectly legal to fly VFR above [...] -
My Experiences With Line-Oriented Flight Training
22 Jun 2009 | 2:16 pmLast April, I dealt with diversions, windshear, flap failures, and Category-II ILS approaches. All of this in just over four hours of flight time! Well, maybe it wasn’t actual flight time, but after a few minutes in a full-motion flight simulator it’s very easy to forget that you are only “playing a game.” You can [...] -
Flight Planning in the Internet Era
17 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pmFamiliarizing yourself with a new airport? Put that Airport / Facility Directory away and fire up YouTube! Is that sectional chart a little too ambiguous? Fold that chart up and “fly” the route with Google Earth. See how modern websites are changing the way tech-savvy pilots plan their flights. In his article, Vincent from PlasticPilot.net [...] -
How Technology Is Making Pilots Safer
15 Jun 2009 | 11:22 pmAlthough rare, airplanes do crash. As pilots, it is important to understand the causes of airplane crashes so as not to repeat the same mistakes. Statistical evidence shows that an increasing percentage of airplane accidents are being linked to pilot error. Before we jump to conclusions, consider that this may not be such a bad [...]
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My Flying Career
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No excuse
22 Jun 2009 | 11:58 pmI am very sorry it has been so long since I’ve given you all an update on what’s going on. I have no excuse other than pure laziness. I have had so much fun flying all over recently. I am still building time for my Commercial Rating and let me tell you. I will miss the day when I don’t get to build time on my own like this. I am really enjoying going out and flying wherever I want to go. My last two most memorable time-building flights were to Yakima, Washington and Redding California. For my Yakima flight, I flew at 9,000 feet and flew east down near the Columbia… -
Passed Multi-Engine Checkride!
27 May 2009 | 10:21 pmWell, I have that on top of the world feeling once again. I just passed my Private Multi-Engine Land checkride! It felt so good to log my first few hours of PIC multi time! Instead of paying all that money for non-PIC multi time. I learned something from this multi-engine training experience. I am better at learning knowledge as apposed to learning a skill. This is the first checkride (since my private) that I had to learn a new airplane. And not just a new airplane, but brand new concepts to the plane. So what I took away from this was that I could learn the concepts of how things worked on… -
Age 65 Retirements Begin Soon, How Will That Affect the Airlines?
14 May 2009 | 10:05 amAn interesting read… Age 65 Retirements Begin Soon, How Will That Affect the Airlines? – PilotJobs.com: Regional Airline Pilot Jobs Age 65 Retirements Part 2 - PilotJobs.com: Regional Airline Pilot Jobs Age 65 Retirements Part 3 – PilotJobs.com: Regional Airline Pilot Jobs -
How to study for your multi-engine oral exam
7 May 2009 | 8:19 pmI must say, I’m a little disappointed with the King Multi-Engine ground school course. Definitely not up-to-par with their other courses I have used (namely, the Private and Instrument courses). But I don’t think King is completely to blame, as a Multi-Engine add-on is one of those ratings that is pretty specific to the airplane you are flying. So they are not able to go into the intricate details of how the landing gear system works, or how the fuel system works. From my little experience, it seems that their are some pretty major differences with these systems amongst light… -
Multi-Engine Training ALMOST complete…
2 May 2009 | 9:20 amHey Everyone, Well here’s the lowdown on what’s been happening. I’ve been polishing my skills in the Seminole to a point where I am comfortable taking a stage check (practice checkride pretty much). My normal instructor was out of town last weekend, so I was placed with another instructor, and I don’t know if it was the nerves or just not my day, but I wasn’t flying so well… Little mistakes here and there. So I opted to do one more lesson with my instructor before taking my stage check, just to at least bring back up my confidence. Well we did…
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SimpliFlying
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LCC 2.0: How low cost airlines can use social media to engage their customers
1 Jul 2009 | 5:54 amI delivered an Expert Keynote address yesterday to a room full of senior airline executives on how they can us social media to enhance their brands. This was at the at the LCC World Americas Summit in Miami, FL. The presentation details why social media is important to LCCs and how they can use it immediately for customer service, sales and more. I’m sharing the slides here and would love to have your feedback on this! Similar Posts:Presentation on airlines and social media from FTMA & Freddies 2009, now available Airlines 2.0: Using technology for branding through the recession… -
“Chris Brogan: If I was an airline CEO.” Exclusive video interview with the social media mogul
29 Jun 2009 | 5:01 amOnce in a while, I get a chance to meet a person who totally knows what he’s talking about, and the world knows what he’s talking about too. Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan on Twitter) is such a man. In this exclusive interview, Chris Brogan, the social media mogul (yeah, not just any guru, but a mogul) is put in the hotseat of an airline CEO. He shares with us what he’d do to run the airline, how he’d implement Web 2.0 strategies at the airline to build the brand and how he’d make them work for the airline and for the customer. As the CEO of an airline, Chris Brogan… -
Exclusive photos: Inside the Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin!
27 Jun 2009 | 12:20 pmLast week, I had the opportunity get a personal tour inside a life-size mock-up of the Boeing 787, at Boeing’s Customer Experience Center near their Seattle Commercial Airplanes HQ. A detailed article and video interview will follow soon, but I just wanted to share the first photos from inside the beautiful plane! Enjoy! Similar Posts:Emirates A380 inaugural flight to JFK. Live coverage on August 1, 2008. Alaska Airlines personnel demonstrates why it is such a loved brand Lippincott Senior Partners, on airline branding Interview with Emirates VP Nigel Page on the A380 flights to JFK,… -
Airline Baggage Fees : The Airline Industry’s Financial Salvation?
25 Jun 2009 | 1:10 amNote: This is a cross-post from Steven Frischling’s Flying with Fish blog. Steven Frischling, aka: Fish, is a self employed photographer, and founder of The Travel Strategist, who has flown approximately 1,000,000 miles since he began to track his mileage 2005. ————————————- Throughout the past year airlines have suffered massive financial losses due to record high fuel prices, a weakening global economy and declining demand for airline seats. In an attempt to increase their financial stability many airlines in the United States, and around the world, turned to the… -
British Airways’ all-business class from London to New York – is the OpenSkies brand dying?
23 Jun 2009 | 10:26 amBritish Airways announced yesterday that they will be launching all-business class flights from London to New York City in September. It will operate A318s fitted with 32 lie-flat seats on the route. Why it makes some business sense? Given that the likes of Silverjet and MaxJet have gone bust plying this route offers a couple of insights. Firstly, there’s inherent demand (we all know that) and that’s why these airlines could actually fly for some time. Secondly, it was largely British Airways and Virgin Atlantic that drove these airlines out of business. That means BA has less…
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Defense Update News
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Oshkosh Wins Order for 2244 M-ATV Armored Vehicles
30 Jun 2009 | 7:34 pmThe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced today it has selected Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) to supply MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) for its fighting forces. Oshkosh has received an initial delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for 2,244 M-ATVs valued at $1.05 billion, following months of government testing on multiple production-ready vehicles. The entire M-ATV program has the potential to reach up to 10,000 vehicles destined to Afghanistan. -
Israel Embarks on a $76 Million Air Transport Defense Plan
25 Jun 2009 | 10:49 amElbit Systems' C-MUSIC missile-defense DIRCM will be operated by all Israeli operated commercial ailines -
Oshkosh to Launch Special Operations SandCat Armored Vehicle at DVD
19 Jun 2009 | 2:25 pmOshkosh Defense is unveiling a Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) configuration of the SandCat at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2009 taking place at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, U.K. next week. The vehicle was designed specifically for the emerging requirements of international special forces units that need an open, highly mobile and well-protected vehicle for operations in remote locations. -
The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation
19 Jun 2009 | 8:34 amThe U.S. State Department through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation (INL/A) is responsible for the curtailment of the supply of illegal drugs from foreign sources into the United States through aerial eradication of drug crops, interdiction of refining laboratories and trafficking activities, and other enforcement operations as directed by the Secretary of State. The Bureau’s “air wing” operates 348 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, involved in INL counter-narcotics aviation programs in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala,… -
Lethal Crop Dusters - Armed and Armored Crop Dusters Join the War on Drugs
19 Jun 2009 | 8:33 amParis Air SHow 09: U.S. and international air forces are becoming interested and open to utilizing off-the-shelf equipment in low-intensity, counter-insurgency and counter-drug operations in remote areas.
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Light Flight
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Mentone: the "Oshkosh" for gyro's and other rotorcraft
30 Jun 2009 | 10:44 amThose familiar with experimental aviation certainly know about "Oshkosh", the annual meeting of experimental aircraft in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The official name for it is "AirVenture," but the EAA folks that run it have been unsuccessful at dislodging the name Oshkosh... -
Gyrocopter flight envelope
22 Jun 2009 | 3:07 pmA few people have taken umbrage at my use of the phrase "...the envelope for safe gyro flying is very narrow." First of all, just in general, "flight envelope" is a term that's hard to nail down. Wiktionary says that... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day three
21 Jun 2009 | 8:35 amToday we wanted to start at 7am. Two other students showed up, so Steve had a lot of training to do. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't going to cooperate. When I looked out of The Barracks, it was obvious that it... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day two
12 Jun 2009 | 9:09 pmStarting early enough so that it wasn't blistering hot, Steve and I strapped into the Parson's trainer and proceeded to wring out the machine. There were quite a number of takeoffs and landings at first, but instead of the... -
Gyrocopter transition training, day one
12 Jun 2009 | 4:22 amArriving at this small airport on the outskirts of Macon, Georgia, I didn't really know what to expect. I'd never met my instructor, Steve McGowan, but his reputation was stellar, so it was a surprise to meet such an unassuming...
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Airline News UK
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Inflight entertainment on Iceland Express
30 Jun 2009 | 4:01 pmIceland Express inflight entertainment ! Here is some footage of the Icelandic band “Buff” performing on an Iceland Express flight More Airline news from: Airline-News.co.uk Inflight entertainment on Iceland Express Related posts:Iceland Express to switch London airports Iceland Ex -
Cathay Pacific Business Class Video
22 Jun 2009 | 4:51 amIn case you were wondering what Cathay Pacific regional business class experience and food was like, here is a video someone has published. Seems like the flight was in December 2008. I was just looking on the Cathay Pacific website and saw that the business class seat has a massage function ! More Airline news from: Airline-News.co.uk Cathay Pacific Business Class Video Related posts:Bargain Business Class Flights No we are Brussels Airlines new business class Brussels ABA Business Class buy one get one free For five d -
Air New Zealand Body Paint Ad
19 Jun 2009 | 3:03 amAir New Zealand Staff have nothing to hide What’s the soundtrack ? – Under My Skin by Gin Wigmore and here’s some behind the scenes footage More Airline news from: Airline-News.co.uk Air New Zealand Body Paint Ad Related posts:Air New Zealand completes bio fuel flight WELLINGTONAir New Zealand Investor Update Air New Ze -
Why Michael O’Leary should have a blog
16 Jun 2009 | 1:37 pmClearly Michael O’Leary is as gifted at writing as he is at delivering financial results for Ryanair PLC. Anyone who has read one of his letters to the press must admit that he writes with a certain force, a touch of humour and a large dose of arrogance. Here is a recent comment from “MOL” on the subject of mobile phone usage onboard Ryanair flights. “We’ve thus far had no complaints of any passengers who are annoyed by their cathedral-like sanctity of a Ryanair flight being besmirched by somebody on a mobile call“ Here is why I think Ryanair / Michael… -
British Airways Face TV advert
13 Jun 2009 | 2:55 pmBritish Airways television commercial from 1989. One of the most expensive TV adverts ever created, at a cost of around £1 million, British Airways “Face” advert, first shown in 1989, was made by advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi. The ad is often considered to be a television commercial classic. It is worth noting that British Airways isn’t mentioned until the last few seconds of the ad. More Airline news from: Airline-News.co.uk British Airways Face TV advert Related posts:Japan and China get more Qatar Airways Tokyo, JAPBA orders more 777 aircraft British AiQatar…
